Class I. VARYING HARE. 129 



her bosom, which taking what was deemed a for- 

 tunate course, animated her soldiers by the omen 

 of an easy victory over a timid enemy,* 'M 



Lepus hieme albus. Forster hist. Alpine Hare. Hisi. quad, 21. VARYING. 



n(i(.Vo]g^.Ph.Tr.L.VU.343, ii. No. 300. p. 100. Arcf. 



Lepus variabilis Pallas nov, sp. Zool. i. 108. 



1. Gm. Lin. l6l. 



X HE Varying hare inhabits the summits of 

 the highland mountains, never descends into the 

 vales, or mixes with the common species which 

 is frequent in the bottoms : it lives among the 

 rocks with Ptarmigans, natives of the loftiest 

 situations : does not run fast, and if pursued is 

 apt to take shelter beneath stones or in clefts of 

 rocks ; is easily tamed, and is very sprightly 

 and full of frolick ; is fond of honey, and carra- 

 way comfits, and is observed to eat its own • 

 dung before a storm. 



It is less than the common hare, weighing 

 only 61b. -1-. whereas the first weighs from eight 

 to twelve pounds. Its hair is soft and full; the 

 predominant color gi'ey mixed with a little black 

 and tawny. 



* Taura sitfacra Xaywv [/t^y sk ra MXte, &c, Xiphilini 

 Epitome Dionis. 173. 



VOL. I. K 



