OEDEE OF EODENTIA. 489 



burrows, extending sometimes many miles in length. They owe 

 their name to the supposed resemblance of their warning cry to 

 the bark of a small dog. 



We arrive, finally, at tbe last group of Rodents — the Leporides, 

 that is, the Hares and Rabbits. 



With these animals, the upper incisors are four in number, 

 placed two and two, and parallel one behind the other, the two 

 posterior ones being completely concealed by those in front, which 

 are longer and wider. This characteristic mark is of great value, 

 as it is not found in any of the Rodents we have yet studied, and 

 which only possessed one pair of incisors in each jaw. 



Besides the Hares and Rabbits, the genus Loporkhe comprises 

 other creatures, called Lagomys, which we will refer to hereafter. 



Genus Lepus. — The animals composing this genus have twenty- 

 two molar teeth, formed of vertical layers joined to each other ; 

 the ears are very large and funnel-shaped, covered with hair 

 externally, almost nude internally ; the eyes are salient and lateral ; 

 the upper lip cleft (thus the origin of the expression " hare- lip " 

 when it exists accidentally in Man) ; the tail is short, furry, and 

 ordinarily elevated ; the hind feet are much longer than those in 

 front, and are provided with five toes, while the fore feet have only 

 four ; the claws are but little developed ; the feet are entirely 

 covered with hair, above as well as below. These traits con- 

 stitute in their case a very distinct physiognomy. 



We will first speak of the Hare properly so-called. 



It would be superfluous to describe the Hare in detail (Fig. 212). 

 This animal is too well known to render it necessary. As, how- 

 ever, it might be confounded with the Rabbit, which it much 

 resembles, it may be remarked that the Hare has the ears and 

 the thighs longer, the body more slender, the head finer, and the 

 coat of a deeper fawn colour. 



The Hare inhabits indiscriminately hilly or level regions, forest 

 or field ; but it is most frequently found in flat or slightly elevated 

 districts. It does not burrow, but chooses a form or seat, the 

 situation of which varies with the season. In summer it is on the 

 hillocks exposed to the north, in the shade of heaths or vines, that 

 it loves to repose ; in winter, on the contrary, it betakes itself 

 to sheltered places facing the south. It is often found squatted 

 in a furrow between two ridges of earth, which have the same 



