404 MAMMALIA. 



beside its master, and scratched his arm with its fore-paw to 

 attract attention. The Hare may also be taught various tricks, 

 such as beating a drum, dancing, and firing-off a pistol. But 

 such is the power of the instinct of liberty in them, that, even 

 when captured at the earliest age, they will frequently return 

 to a wild state. 



The Hare is well known as a table delicacy ; it makes ex- 

 cellent soup, appreciated alike by all classes. The mountain 

 Hares, although not generally so fat or large as those from the 

 plains or wood, have more flavour, as they principally feed on 

 aromatic plants. Those which live in low, marshy situations 

 should be absolutely rejected, for their flesh is pale and of bad 

 quality. The law of Moses and the Koran prohibits the use of 

 Hare's flesh as food, doubtless because of its stimulating pro- 

 perties, which might, in Eastern climates, give rise to incon- 

 venience. 



The fur of the Hare has its uses ; and before the introduction 

 of silk for the purpose, it was employed in the manufacture of 

 gentlemen's hats. 



Among Hares are found individuals which are quite white ; 

 these are the albinos of their race, and are characterised by red 

 eyes. However, it is necessary to guard against confounding 

 them with another species, familiarly known as Mountain Hares, 

 whose pelage in the summer is of a greyish-fawn colour, but 

 changes to white during the winter, and who inhabit the elevated 

 summits of mountains and the northern regions of the two 

 continents. 



The Hare is spread over the whole surface of the globe, and at 

 all altitudes, except in Madagascar. Everywhere its habits are 

 nearly the same. 



"We will now pass to the Rabbit. 



Closely allied to the Hare in its form and external aspect, the 

 two difier greatly in habits. The Rabbit lives in societies, and 

 retires into burrows. It is not found on the open plain, but chooses 

 for its home places whore there are hillocks and woody banks. 

 Like the Hare, the Rabbit has not a preference for day ; but 

 towards evening it comes forth and gambols about in the glades 

 (Fig. 215), or nibbles the dewy herbage. It is particularly partial 

 to moonlight for making its forays (Fig. 216). 



