THE COMMON OR BROWN HARE 259 



But the latter species, although doubtfully distinct from L. timidus ( Wol- 

 drich, Sitzungsb. d. K. Akad. d. Wissensck., Vienna, Ixxxii., 1880, ii.), and 

 placed in the synonymy of that species by E. T. Newton {Quart. Journ. 

 Geol. 5oc.,lv.,42i, August 1899), was described from continental Europe, 

 and is therefore not of direct interest to British naturalists. 



Forsyth Major has, however, shown {Geol. Mag., dec. v., vol. i., 

 1904, 143) that all the British pleistocene remains of hares determin- 

 able with certainty are referable to allies of L. timidus. Hinton has 

 come to a similar conclusion as the result of his studies of the late 

 pleistocene fossil hare of Ightham, Kent {Sci. Proc. Roy. Dublin Soc, xii., 

 N.S., No. 23, pi. XV., Sept. 1909, 225-265). He further informs me 

 that he cannot recall a single instance of any undoubted remains of 

 L. europcms of even prehistoric age in Britain ; even a single right 

 tibia from the Roman camp at Corstopitum, near Corbridge-on-Tyne, 

 Northumberland (see Meek and Gray, Arch. Aeliana, 3rd ser., vii., 125, 

 191 1), is referable to true Lepus. Winge, however, finds Eulagos in 

 neolithic deposits in Denmark, but considers it very rare. The 

 species must certainly be regarded as a comparatively recent post- 

 pleistocene immigrant, and its presence points either to a very late 

 land-connection with the Continent, or to introduction in early historical 

 times. For the latter hypothesis no confirmatory evidence can be 

 adduced. But it is not improbable, and has parallels in the frequent 

 practice of introducing hares throughout the known historical period. 

 This conclusion is consistent with the absence of Brown Hares from 

 Ireland, where, however, as shown above, they thrive well when intro- 

 duced, and with their recent extension of range (though assisted by 

 man) in Scotland, Scandinavia, and Finland (see under Distribution). 



Origin : — It seems almost certain that L. europceus invaded western 

 Europe from eastern Europe or Asia, as its status in the Mediterranean 

 region indicates that it could not have come from north-western Africa ; 

 it must, therefore, have entered both Spain and Italy from the north in 

 recent geological times. This irruption can hardly have been connected 

 with amelioration of climate, since the animal is very hardy ; but, as it 

 appears to have everywhere superseded the members of the L. timidus 

 group where meeting them, the matter is discussed more conveniently 

 under heading of the latter species. 



Description : — In general form and appearance this animal embodies 

 the typical characters of a hare. Amongst European species it is 

 distinguishable by its large size, long ears ^ much exceeding the head in 



' As in the case of rabbits (see above, p. 194), specimens with deformed ears are 

 sometimes seen, and one such from Bottisham Hall, Cambridge, in which, apparently 

 by congenital defect, all sign of external ear, or even of opening, was lacking, was 

 described by Jenyns {Observations on Nat. Hist, 1846, ^^). Other instances have 

 from time to time been recorded, amongst others by Wise, Field, 15th Sept. 1888, 413 ; 

 C\?iyton,/oum, cit., 3rd Jan., i8gr, 10 ; "R. "L." Journ. cit., 8th May 1909, 801. 



