19 3 



foxes in fnares (which were probably therefore full 

 grown), and kept them a confiderable time with 

 -dogs of different fexes. 



After this, he fays j>], it is evident from thefe ex- 

 periments, that wolves, foxes, and dogs are fpeci- 

 fically different, without diftinguifhing between the 

 foxes being full grown when caught, and the wolf 

 which was only three months old. 



But the decifive argument againft Monf. de Buf- 

 fon's experiment not being fatisfactory, is to be found 

 in Mr. Pennant's Synopfis of quadrupeds, p. 144: 

 where he informs us, that a breed was actually pro- 

 cured between a dog and a wolf at Mr. Brooks's 

 (animal merchant) in Holborn. 



Monf.-de Buffon alfo fuppofes that the Rabbit is 

 •much more fagacious than the Hare, becaufe, both 

 having equal powers of burrowing, the one thus 

 fecures himfelf from moil enemies, whilft the other, 

 by not taking the fame precaution, continues liable 

 to their attacks. 



There are, however, feveral caufes for the Rab- 

 bit's burrowing, and the Hare's neglecting to do fo. 



In the firft place, the fore-legs of a Rabbit are 

 fhorter in proportion to its hind legs, and at the 

 fame time much ftronger - f the claws are alfo longer 

 and fharper, refembling much thofe of a mole. 



I have before obferved that the Rabbits, which 

 the fportfmen call Hedge Rabbits, feldom burrow 5 

 and they neglect taking this trouble, for the fame 

 reafon that induces the Hare to truft to her form, be- 



X*] Htft. Nat, T. v. p. 213. 

 Vol. LXII. C *aufe 



