AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
217 
AMERICAN VARYING HARE. 
L EP US VIR GINMNUS. —Harlan. 
Varying Hare , Pennant Quad. Warden Descrip. U. S. 
v. p. 635. Lewis & Clarke, 2. p. 178. Lepus Vir- 
ginianus , Harlan. Faun. am. 196,300. Prairie Hare, 
Richardson, Faun. am. bor. — Philadelphia Museum. 
Few of the genera of quadrupeds present more obstacles 
to the naturalist, than that of Lepus; among the species of 
which there are so many points of similarity and almost 
identity, that it is a task of no slight difficulty to distinguish 
whether the differential characters which have been assigned 
to them, are really specific, or only arise from the modify- 
ing influence of climate and habitat. But although the seve- 
ral species of this genus are so analogous as to constitute 
one of the most natural groups of the mammalia, they are 
spread over a wide extent of the globe, exhibiting, how- 
ever, in every country, the same characteristics. When we 
consider the great and almost incredible changes that are 
wrought in the external configuration and habits of animals 
by change of residence, and the effects of domestication, 
it must be evident that it is often impossible to determine 
whether the apparent differences between animals arise from 
their descent from various parent stocks, or have been pro- 
duced by the gradual operation of extrinsic causes. Thus, 
when the natural history of any one of our domestic ani- 
mals, as the sheep for example, is sufficiently known; when 
we find, on its transportation from one climate to another, 
that changes are produced, apparently amounting to specific 
differences, it becomes exceedingly difficult to assign any 
limits to this operation of nature, and to decide, in an ab- 
solute manner, between the analogy and affinity of animals. 
These observations apply with great force to the genus un- 
der consideration, from the striking similarity that exists 
between the species composing it, species, however, it 
should be recollected, sanctioned by the highest names in 
zoology. 
As the resemblance of the various species to the common 
type is almost as strong in their habits and manners as in 
external characters, what we shall notice in speaking of the 
genus is applicable, in a great measure, to the individual 
which now engages our attention. 
The Hares belong to the great order of Rodentia or Gnaw- 
ers; they are distinguished by the number and singular ar- 
rangement of their upper incisor teeth, the structure of 
their head, and many other organic peculiarities. The head 
is narrow and compressed, with a rather acute snout; the 
eyes large, prominent, and placed laterally; the ears are 
long, and placed close to each other. The upper lip is cleft, 
31 
and the inside of the cheeks covered with hair; in each 
groin there is a fold of skin, that forms a kind of pouch. 
The fore legs are short, and have five toes, covered with a 
soft velvety hair; the hinder legs are very long, and have 
only four toes, the soles of which are furnished with hair, 
analogous to the anterior feet. There are twenty-eight 
teeth — incisors molar -*§• The upper incisors are dou- 
ble, that is, there are two rows, one behind the other, the 
posterior of which is the smaller; and at one moment, when 
they are changing their teeth, they appear to have three 
rows or six upper incisors. 
There is one very remarkable anatomical peculiarity in 
this genus; the females are furnished with a double matrix, 
so that two contemporaneous fecundations can go on together; 
this peculiarity of form also accounts for these animals being 
so extremely prolific. They are capable of reproduction at 
a very early age, and produce young every thirty days, 
having from two to five at a birth. 
According to the Mosaic ordinances, these animals are 
placed among the ruminants. This arose, perhaps, from the 
stomach appearing double, owingto a peculiarfold in it; added 
to which, the coecum is so large that, in the infancy of ana- 
tomical knowledge, it might readily have been mistaken for 
a second stomach; the Hare genus have also the habit of 
keeping their under lip in constant motion, giving the sem- 
blance of rumination. But, although forbidden to be eaten 
by the Jews, and even by the ancient Britons, the flesh 
of the Hare appears to have been held in great esteem by 
the epicures of Rome; thus, Martial says, u Inter quadru- 
pedes gloria prima Lepus” and Horace, who is no slight 
authority as regards the pleasures of the table, gives it as 
his opinion, that every man of taste must prefer the fore leg: 
<e Fecunditur Leporis sapiens sectabitur armos.” 
The eye of the Hare has no accessory organ, and the pu- 
pil is elongated horizontally; their nostrils are nearly circu- 
lar, and almost hidden in a fold, so that they can be closed. 
The ears of all the species are very large, and are also capa- 
ble of being closed at the will of the animal. The voice of 
these animals is seldom or never heard, except when they are 
irritated or wounded, when they utter a loud piercing cry, 
bearing some resemblance to that of a child in pain. Al- 
though exceedingly timid and watchful, the Hare is capable 
of being domesticated, and even taught a variety of tricks. 
One was exhibited in London, some time since, which could 
play on the tambourine, discharge a pistol, and perform a 
variety of other feats of as strange a character for an animal 
of so fearful a disposition. 
From the great length of the hinder legs, the gait of the 
Flare is a succession of leaps, or an interrupted gallop; like 
all animals of this conformation they sit on the tarsi of the 
hinder feet, and use the anterior extremities to convey food 
