^10 ALPINE HARE. 



bristly tail, iike that of a fox, which the animal 

 also resembles in colour : the fur on all parts, ex- 

 cept the tail, is soft, and is used by the Peruvians 

 in the manufacture of hats : it was also used by 

 the ancient Peruvians for the fabric of garments, 

 worn only by persons of distinction. In its man- 

 ners this animal resembles the rabbet, burrowing 

 under ground, and forming a double mansion, in 

 the upper of which it deposits its provisions, and 

 sleeps in the other. It appears chiefly by night, 

 and is said to defend itself when attacked by 

 striking with its tail. 



ALPINE HARE. 



Lcpus Alpinus. L. ecaudatus rufescens, aurlculis rotmdatit 

 plantisquefuscis* Lin, Si/st, Nat. Gmel. p. 165. Fall. Glir, 



Tailless ferruginous Hare, with rounded ears, and brownish feet, 

 Alpine Hare. Pennant Quadr. 2. p, 107. 



This is a very different species from the Alpine 

 Hare described by Mr. Pennant in the British 

 Zoology, which is no other than the Varying Hare, 

 The Alpine Hare is a far smaller animal, scarce 

 Exceeding a Guinea-Pig (Cavia Cobaya) in size, 

 and measuring only nine inches in length. Its 

 colour is a bright feiTuginous grey, paler beneath : 

 the head is long, and the ears short, broad, and 

 rounded. It appears to have been first described 

 by Dr. Pallas, who informs us that it is a native 

 of the Altaic mountains, and extends to the Lake 



