42 FARM VERMIN, HELPFUL AND HURIFUL. 



power of discerning objects distinctly in the rear, although 

 it runs forward. When one considers its numerous and 

 powerful enemies, it must be granted that its extraordinary 

 vision and auditory faculties are merciful provisions of 

 nature. Besides these gifts, the hinder limbs of the animal 

 are of such peculiar structure and length that it is enabled 

 to run up-hill with immense celerit3\ Most animals which 

 would naturally pursue the hare possess swiftness in the 

 opposite direction, and puss, with an instinctive knowledge 

 of this advantage, often flees up-hill, and in this way eludes 

 or discomfits its would-be captors. The hare sleeps by 

 day in its ''form/' a spot to which it constantly returns, 

 and is with difficulty compelled to abandon. The sagacious 

 creature selects her retreat where the surrounding objects 

 match her own hue in colour. The hare breeds three or 

 four times a year, and has a litter of young from two to 

 four in number. The leverets, or young hares, immediately 

 they are born possess to the full the gifts of sight, hearing 

 and speed so essential to their preservation — indeed, were 

 this not so, the race would quickly cease to exist. The 

 animal is short-lived, never attaining more than seven or 

 •eight years. The genus is widely spread over the world, 

 and in cold climates some species change the ordinary 

 ■colour to white. 



THE RABBIT {Lcpus citnicnlus) 

 Inhabits most of the temperate portions of Europe. 

 This animal was not originally a native of England 

 but was introduced into this country from Spain or 

 Portugal. It can readily be distinguished from the 

 liare owing to its smaller size and the shortness of 

 its ears and legs, nor does it possess the wonderful 

 speed of the latter quadruped ; it is owing to this 

 that it seeks its safety, if molested, by burrowing and 

 tunnelling in the ground. It is, again, peculiarly social in 

 its habits, and large numbers of its kind congregate together. 



