THE HARE. 
23 
Irish Hare. 
Scot. Hare. 
MALE. 
FEMALE. 
FEMj 
\ LE. 
Original Wt. 
Original Wt. 
Original Wt. 
51b. 
3oz. 
71b. 4*oz. 
71b. 4oz. 
in. 
line. 
in. 
line. 
in. 
line. 
Length of head 
3 
6 
3 
8 
3 
9 
Breadth of head above the meatus auditorii 
1 
2 
1 
H 
1 
1 
— at the zygomata . 
1 
9 
1 
101 
1 
101 
Distance between the superciliary ridges . 
1 
2k 
1 
3 
1 
2k 
Length of humerus 
3 
9 
3 
10 
3 
10 
— of radius 
3 
10 
4 
01 
4 
3a 
— of ulna 
— from base of radius to lower extre- 
4 
7 
4 
8k 
4 
11 
mity of metacarpus 
1 
4 
1 
6 
1 
6 
— of second finger and nail 
1 
4 
1 
8 
1 
7 
— of femur 
4 
6 
4 
8 
4 
10* 
— of tibia 
5 
n 
5 
3 
5 
7 
— of os calcis 
— from base of os calcis to lower ex- 
1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
2 
tremity of metatarsus 
— of second toe and claw, measured in 
2 
4 
2 
3 
2 
5 
a straight line .... 
— from upper extremity of os calcis to 
1 
10 
2 
H 
2 
0 
lower extremity of metatarsus 
3 
7 
3 
6 
3 
6 
— of scapula 
2 
10 
3 
2 
3 
2 
Breadth of scapula 
1 
6 
1 
101 
1 
101 
Length of pelvis .... 
3 
4 
3 
7 
3 
101 
“ This table, which exhibits a comparison of two female specimens of equal size 
and weight, shows a very different result from that arrived at by Mr. Eyton, who 
observes, that the skeleton generally of the Irish hare is larger than that of the 
English ; that the lateral processes of its lumbar vertebrse are longer, its sca- 
pula and ribs broader, and its cranium* larger ; but in all these characters an 
equality is presented by the individuals under consideration, f Mr. Eyton fur- 
ther adds, that the Irish is distinguished from the common hare by ‘ the greater 
length of the humerus, in proportion to that of the ulna but in these indi- 
viduals the humerus is equal and the ulna of the Lepus timidus of superior 
length. As remarked by Mr. Eyton , — ‘ in the numbering of the vertebrae and 
ribs (twelve in number) they do not differ, except as to the caudal ones, which in 
the Irish hare are thirteen, and in the English sixteen ; the sacral in both ai'e four, 
the lumbar seven, the dorsal twelve, and cervical seven ; making the total num- 
ber in the Irish hare forty-three, and in the common hare forty-six. 5 The 
teeth appear in all respects similar in both species. The orbits are somewhat 
more of an oval form in the Irish than in the common hare. 
“ The most obvious characters of form between the common and Irish hare 
are the superior length of ears and tail, % and the less rounded head of the former 
animal : those of colour have been before noticed. The specific characters I pro- 
* Although this can hardly be called larger, there is some difference in form 
between it and that of Lepus timidus. 
f Although the lumbar vertebrae are not in reality longer in the Irish species, 
yet from taking a more horizontal direction they so appear when the animal is 
viewed with its head towards the spectator. 
X The greater length of these parts gives an erroneous idea of superior size to 
the Lepus timidus, when there is an equality in the length of its head and body, 
and in weight. Mr. Bell and Mr. Eyton, judging, it may be presumed, from the 
individuals examined by them, describe the Irish as larger than the common 
hare ; but the difference in size is, I consider, dependent on locality, as both 
species differ remarkably, in this respect, in the barren and mountainous parts 
of the country, and in the rich demesnes of the valley, where they are protected. 
In general, I should say the Lepus timidus is the larger animal. 
