RODENTIA. LEPORID^E. 55 



animal kingdom. It is distinguished from every other by well 

 marked characters, whether we consider its habits or configura- 

 tion. The great length of the ears, the prominence of the eyes, 

 the length of the posterior extremities, and the shortness of the 

 tail, are characters which are obvious at the first glance, and which 

 are so prominent, that they may be considered as family features 

 sufficiently common to distinguish the whole group. Besides, 

 being, as it were, unarmed, their instinct of escaping their foes 

 by flight may be considered common to the whole race. 



The heads of the individuals belonging to this family, are nar- 

 row, or compressed, which arises from the straightness of the 

 zygomatic arches, which, in the Carnivora, swell outwards, and 

 help to extend the width of the cranium immediately in advance 

 of, and above the insertion of the ear. The head, too, is com- 

 paratively long, though not terminated by an acute or extended 

 snout. The eyes are prominent, and placed laterally ; the ears 

 are planted apparently near each other ; the bony process of the 

 meatus externus is directed upward and backward, a direction 

 almost the reverse of some of the pugnacious animals, as the 

 Weasels. This circumstance, connected with its size, may be 

 ranked as a remarkable adaptation, in which organization and 

 instinctive properties blend and harmoniously combine. The 

 external ear, as has already been remarked, is very large ; it is 

 elastic also, and very movable, and its position during its ordi- 

 nary pursuits, as feeding, tending its young, &c, is directed 

 backwards on the line with the bony canal, which opens down- 

 wards and forwards. This canal is comparatively long, and serves 

 thereby to increase the strength of the vibrations of the air ; a 

 whisper, the snap of a stick, the rustling of the leaves, is heard 

 at a distance to give timely warning of danger from behind, while 

 the prominent eye, quite lateral as to position, perceives in time 

 the approach of an enemy before. Thus it is, that nature has 

 taken care that this unprotected race should not be left to the 

 mercy of implacable enemies, without guarding it almost as 

 effectually as the less powerful of the Carnivora. 



