POLAR HARE.] 



243 



moderately broad, and somewhat arched. Tail, of moderate length, 

 woolly at the roots, intermixed with longer hairs. The fur on the back 

 is remarkably close and fine ; that on the under surface is longer, and not 

 quite so close. 



In winter, the Polar Hare is entirely white on every part of the body 

 except the tips of the ears ; the hairs are of the same colour to the roots. 

 The ears are tipped with hairs of a brownish-black colour. In its sum- 

 mer dress, this species is of a grayish-brown colour on the whole of the 

 head extending to the ears ; ears, black, bordered with white on their 

 outer margins ; under parts of the neck, and the breast, dark bluish-gray ; 

 the whole of the back, light brownish-gray. The fur under the long hairs 

 of the back is soft and woolly, and of a grayish-ash; the hairs inter- 

 spersed among the fur are dark blue near the roots, then black, tipped 

 with grayish-fawn colour ; a few black and white hairs are interspersed 

 throughout. The wool on the under surface is bluish-white, interspersed 

 with long hairs of a slate colour ; the hairs forming the whiskers are 

 white and black, the former predominating. The inner sides of the fore- 

 legs, thighs, and under surface of the tail, pure white ; the hairs on the 

 soles are yellowish-brown ; nails, nearly black. According to Richard- 

 sox, " the irides are of a honey-yellow colour." The skin of this species 

 appears to be nearly as tender as that of the Northern hare. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Specimen, obtained at Labrador. 

 Length of head and body . 



" from point of nose to ear 



" of ear, measured posteriorly . 



" tail (vertebrae) . 



" tail, including fur 



" -whiskers .... 



" from wrist-joint to point of middle claw 



" " heel to middle claw 



Weight, from 7 to 1 1 lbs. 

 These measurements were taken from the specimen after it had been 

 stuffed. We are under the impression that it was a little longer in its 

 recent state. 



26 



inches 



4i 



do. 



4S 



do. 



n 



do. 



3J 



do. 



3 



do. 



35 



do. 



6J 



do. 



It is to the cold and inhospitable regions of the North, the rugged valleys 



