HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



339 



to return to their forms or feats by the fame paths which 

 they took in leaving them. 



" 'Tis inftind that dire&s the jealous Hare 



" To chufe her foft abode. With ftep revers'd, 



" She forms the doubling maze; then, ere the morn 



" Peeps through the clouds, leaps to her clofe recefs." 



The following inftances of the fagacity of the Hare in 

 endeavouring to efcape from its enemies are worthy of 

 notice : — Fouilloux fays, he has feen a Hare fbrt from its 

 form at the found of the hunter's horn, run towards a 

 pool of water at a considerable diftance, plunge itfelf in, 

 and fwim to fome rulhes in the middle, where it lay 

 down, and concealed itfelf from the purfuit of the Dogs. 

 He mentions another, which, after running two hours 

 before the Dogs, pufhed a Hare from its feat, and took 

 pofleffion of it. Others he has feen run into a {heepfold, 

 and lie down among the Sheep ; and fome have effected 

 their efcape by mounting an old wall, and clapping them- 

 felves down in the midft of the ivy which covered it. 



The fur of the Hare is of great ufe in making hats; 

 for which purpofe many thoufands of their Ikins are an- 

 nually imported from Ruflia. 



The Hare was reckoned a great delicacy among the 

 Romans; but was forbidden to the Jews, and held fa- 

 cred among the ancient Britons, who religioufly abftain- 

 ed from eating it. — We are told, that Boadicea, immedi- 

 ately before her laft conflict, with the Romans, let loofe 

 a Hare fhe had concealed in her bofom ; which, taking 

 what was deemed a fortunate courfe, was looked upon 

 as a good omen. — It is to this day deemed unclean by the 

 Mahometans. 



The Hare is found in moll parts of the world, with 

 Y 2 



