EUROPE. 



503 



Dogs. Of tnese tnere are 

 a great variety in Europe, the 

 principal of which are the Siiep 

 herd's Dog, common in the 

 northern parts of Scotland ; the 

 Cur Dog, the Bull Dog, Mas- 

 tiff, Ban Dog, Dalmatian or 

 Coach Dog, Irish Greyhound, 

 Grey-hound Terrier, Beagle, 

 Harrier, Fox-hound, Old Kng- 

 lish Hound, Blood-hound, Ene;- 



lish Setter, Water 



bpaniel, 

 and Pug 



Wolves attacking Cattle. 



European Hare. 



Springer, Turnspit 

 Dog. 



The Hare (^Lepns limidus) 

 is a harmless and inoffensive 

 animal, fearful of every danger, 

 but provided with means of eluding its pur- 

 suers by its great swiftness. It is much hunt- 

 ed by man, and by beasts of prey, and is 

 seldom permitted to enjoy a long life. It 

 is found in all parts of Europe. The Al- 

 pine Hare (L. variabilis) changes in winter 

 from gray to while. It lives in the moun- 

 tains of the north of Europe. It is easily 

 tamed, and is very playful and frolicksome. 

 The Rabbit (L. cunicuhis) though it resem- 

 bles the hare in appearance, dilTers from it 

 in its habits and projiensities. It is common 

 in various parts of Europe, and abounds in 

 Great Britain, where its skin is used in the 

 manufacture of hats. 



Squirrels. The Gray Squrrel (Sciurus 

 Vulgaris^ is common in ihe northern countries 

 Its tail is long and bushy. It makes its 



of Europe, and changes its color in the winter. 



nest in hollow trees, and lays up stores of provisions for w'inter use. lis fur is very valuable. 

 The Fat Squirrel is found in France and ilie southern parts of Europe. It is of an ash color, 

 and its fur is very soft. The Greater Dorn)ouse is common in the south of Europe, where it 

 infests gardens, and lodges in holes in walls. It is very destructive to all kinds of fruit 

 The Lesser Dormouse lives in woody or thick hedges, and makes its uest with grass or dried 

 leaves. The Flying Squirrel (<§. rolans) is found in the northern regions of Europe ; it 

 sleeps in the day, but is extremely active at night. It iVequenlly takes leaps of twenty or 

 thirty yards, and where numbers of them are seen at a time leaping, they appear like leaves 

 blown by the wind. 



Marmots. The Marmot {Arclnmijs marmotUi) inhabits the highest regions of the Alps, and 

 is likewise found in Poland. It lives in holes foi med in the side of a mountain. There are 

 two entrances to each, and the chambers to which ihey lead are deep and spacious. In winter 

 they shut themselves up by slopping up the entrance lo their holes, roll ihehiselves up in hay, 

 and lie torpid till the warm season. Tlie Lapland I\!armot or Leming ( Georychus) are found 

 in the norlhern parts of Europe, in immense numbers, overspreading large tracts of country in 

 their m.arch from one place lo another. Neither fire nor w-aler prevents their progress ; they 

 go straight forwards, swim across lakes and rivers, and overcome every obstacle, or die in the 

 attempt. Their march is mostly in the night. They rest during ihe day, and devour all the 

 herbage that they meet with. Foxes, lynxes, and weasels destroy great numiiers of ihem. 



The Hamster [Cricdus vulgaris) is found in various parts of Germany and Pr^and. It is 

 of ihe size of a large water rat. It lives in the ground, where it lays up a great store of pro- 

 visions for the winter. 



The Soulisk (Spermnphilus citillvs) is about the size of a large rat ; il is iound on the banks 



