Class I. VARYING HARE. 129 



her bosom, which taking what was deemed a for- 

 tunate course, animated her soldiers by the omen 

 of an easy victory over a timid enemy.* 



Lepus hieme albus. Forsterhist. Alpine Hare. Hist. quad. 21. Varying. 



wetf .Volgae. PA.Tr.LVII.343. ii. No. 300. p. 100. Arct. 



Lepus variabilis Pallas nov. sp. Zool. i. 108. 



1. Gm. Lin. l6l. 



XHE Varying hare inhabits the summits of 

 the highland mountains, never descends into the 

 vales, or mixes with the common species which 

 is frequent in the bottoms : it lives among the 

 rocks with Ptarmigans, natives of the loftiest 

 situations : does not run fast, and if pursued is 

 apt to take shelter beneath stones or in clefts of 

 rocks ; is easily tamed, and is very sprightly 

 and full of frolick ; is fond of honey, and carra- 

 way comfits, and is observed to eat its own 

 dung before a storm. 



It is less than the common hare, weighing 

 only 61b.^. whereas the first weighs from eight 

 to twelve pounds. Its hair is soft and full; the 

 predominant color grey mixed with a little black 

 and tawny. 



* Tavrcc zntatra. Xaywv psv sk, ?a xoAtts, &c. Xiphilini 

 Epitome Dionis. 173. 



VOL. I. K 



