128 RODENTIA. 



change does not seem to depend upon the season, and 

 the white fur is thought to be permanent when it has been 

 once assumed. It is found in the Alps of Switzerland, 

 Italy, and France, extending to Saltzburg, and is said to 

 inhabit parts of Bavaria. With these exceptions, it is 

 generally absent in the centre of Europe. According to 

 P. Gervais, ' Zool. et Paleontol. Prangaise ' (vol. i. p. 29), 

 " The Varying Hare inhabits some parts of the Pyrenees." 



Lepus canescens. 



Lepus canescens, Nilsson ; Wateehouse, Rodentia, p. 57. 

 The Ashy-grey Hare, Waterhoose, I. c. 



Description. — The following is from "Waterhouse's work, 

 taken from a specimen in winter fur : — Pur long and soft, 

 of a pale ashy-grey hue on the upper parts of the body ; 

 that on the back is composed of hairs which are ashy white 

 at the roots, very pale rufous-brown beyond, followed by a 

 broad grey- white ring and a dusky point ; sides and limbs 

 chiefly ashy white ; feet white, but in parts suffused with 

 rufous, the fore-feet most distinctly so ; the whole of the 

 under parts, including the chest, are white, as is the tail, 

 but this latter is slightly tinted with grey on its upper 

 surface ; the crown of the head is faintly suffused with 

 rufous ; the nose rufous-yellow above ; ears about equal 

 to the head in length, with the apex black, and a black 

 fringe extending about half-way along the hinder margin. 



Length of head and body, 21 inches ; from nose to ear, 

 4 inches 3 lines ; ears, 4 inches. 



This species appears to be confined to the southern parts 

 of Scandinavia, where it is found throughout Gothland, ex- 

 tending northward to Jaemtland. 



