CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 7. RODENTIA. 347 
Bachman's Hare, L. Baclimanii, tliougli smaller than the gray rabbit, greatly resembles it, 
and has often been deemed as of the same species. It is grayish-brown on the sides, brown 
above, and reddish-white beneath. The length is ten inches ; it is found in Texas, New Mexico, 
and California ; probably also in Mexico. 
The Californian Hare, L. Galifornicus^ is long and slender ; the ears and tail long ; the color 
above rufous brown, beneath yellowish-white. The length is twenty-two inches. In general it 
may be remarked that this hare, while partaking of the character of its family, is noted for its 
fleetness and timidity. It is found in California and the southern part of Oregon. 
The Texan Hare, L. Texiamis^ is of large size, and, on account of its large ears, received 
from our troops in the Mexican war the descriptive title of Jackass Rabbit. Its color is reddish- 
brown above, and white beneath ; the length twenty-one inches. It is swift of foot, and its flesh 
excellent. It is found in Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. 
There are several kinds of South American hares, but the only one of which we have definite 
accounts is the Tapeti, L. BrasUiensis, noted for its short tail, small ears, and small size. It seems 
to partake of the qualities both of the hare and rabbit. It is found in Brazil and the adjacent 
countries. 
BABBIT. 
The Rabbit ; Cuniculus. — This belongs to the same family as the hare, and is by most nat^ 
uralists considered as of the same genus. It has, however, many traits which distinguish it from 
the hare. Two prominent varieties of rabbits are known to all our readers, although no rabbit 
is indigenous to our continent, and it may be remarked that no species of indigenous American 
leporidas has ever been reduced to domesticity. But the Domestic Rabbit of Europe, L. domes- 
ticus, introduced into this country by the early European settlers, is now common among us ; 
while the Common Wild Rabbit of Europe, L. cuniculus, supposed to be the origin of the 
domestic variety, has been so often described as to make us familiar with it. 
The differences between this animal and the hare are numerous and striking. In a state of 
nature, the rabbit is considerably less than the hare the ears are shorter than the head ; the 
tail is not so long as the thigh ; and the whole action and motion of the animal are less vigorous 
and fleet than those of the hare. The general color in a state of nature is yellowish-gray; red- 
dish on the neck and brown on the tail, with the throat and belly whitish. The ears are gray, 
and without any black on the tips. The rabbit is a native of warmer climates than the hare ; and 
it is altogether an animal of different habits. The hare inhabits only where there is cover, at 
least to some extent, while the rabbit is met with in the open and sandy wastes. The hares 
never burrow in the ground, but the rabbits always do ; and they live in solitude, while the 
