902 Quadrupeds. 



force his way out in a very short time. Their life, in a state of maturity, does not 

 exceed three days, and, judging from this, I should estimate that several thousand 

 are produced in the bark heaps in a favourable year. — Id. 



Cantharis vesicatoria in Silesia. This pretty beetle is only a summer guest with 

 us ; with all possible care, I have never had the good fortune to find its breeding- 

 place, which is probably south of the Carpathians. It appears suddenly in June, in 

 rather numerous swarms, which arrive during the night, and are found early in the 

 morning upon the ash, honeysuckle, and some other trees and shrubs, which they 

 soon strip of leaves. Their presence is announced by a most penetrating odour, per- 

 ceptible at a great distance from the trees on which they sit, and suggesting unplea- 

 sant ideas of blistering ointment. Their susceptibility to cold is remarkable ; the 

 freshness of early dawn is sufficient to chill and benumb them, and if the trees be 

 then gently agitated, they fall down. In this manner they are collected for sale, and 

 killed by sprinkling with cold water. — Id. 



Remarks on the varieties of certain species of Game. 

 By the Rev. G. F. Dawson. 



My object in this note is more for the purpose of calling the atten- 

 tion of naturalists to a fact, which does not appear to have been 

 noticed by writers on Natural History, but which, to many sportsmen, 

 must be well known, namely, that there are two distinct varieties of 

 the common hare, the common wild rabbit, and the woodcock, re- 

 spectively ; than of pointing out every mark of dissimilitude that may 

 exist between the varieties I enumerate of those particular animals. 

 I wish simply to offer an introductory statement of my own recollec- 

 tions and observations on the subject, in the hope that some one 

 among your readers may be found, who possesses sufficient opportu- 

 nities and inclination more fully to investigate the matter. 



I. It is not remarked by writers on Natural History, that there are 

 two ordinary varieties of the common English hare. The common 

 hare of the fields and open plains is the animal usually described, 

 with its Jong and sinewy legs, so admirably adapted for speed, toge- 

 ther with its other well known characteristics. The variety unno- 

 ticed is the wood-hare. This animal is distinguished by the propor- 

 tionate shortness of its legs, which are also smaller, and more slightly 

 formed, especially the fore ones, and, at the same time, by its larger 

 and heavier body : it is found in woods and hedge-rows, and never 

 makes its form far from cover : it chiefly delights in lying under the 

 shelter of the hedge-bottom, and if it lies out in the open field by the 

 cover side, will generally select the shelter of a small bush, if there 

 is one ; it is more local in its habits, and never wanders far from the 



