490 • MAMMALIA. 



colour as its coat : being thus confounded with the surrounding 

 soil, it does not attract attention. 



During the daytime, the Hare does not generally stir from its 

 form ; but as soon as the sun approaches the horizon, it goes forth 

 to seek food — consisting of herbs, roots, and leaves. It is very 

 fond of aromatic plants, such as thyme, sage, and parsley. It 

 is also partial to the hark of some varieties of trees. 



'No animal has so many enemies as the Hare. Snares and traps 

 are set for it by poachers. Foxes, birds of prey — diurnal and 

 nocturnal — and sportsmen, aided by Dogs, are all its implacable 

 persecutors. 



To guard itself against so many perils, the poor creature has 



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1 L/ " 



Fig. 213.— The Hare iLcpus tiiuulus). 



ears endowed with extraordinary mobility, and which catch the 

 faintest sounds from a great distance ; four agile and very 

 muscular limbs, which rapidly traverse space, and transport their 

 owner quickly from its pursuers. In a word, its defence consists 

 in perceiving danger and fleeing from it. 



The existence of the Hare is, we fear, only one long series of 

 alarms and disturbances. Always on the alert, it can never 

 enjoy more than a semi-repose, which is being continually 

 broken by some menace.* Its timidity causes it to see death 

 everywhere. La Fontaine, in speaking of the Hare, has well 

 depicted this troubled state — 



" Un souffle, unfi ombre, un rien, tout lui donnait la fievre." 



It must not, however, be imagined that, when pursued, it runs by ' 



chance, and without purpose. Its tactics are, on the contrary, 



• That the Hare lives in this state of trepidation is incredible.— Ed. 



