100 REMARKS ON THE GENUS LEPUS. 
in the order in which they were found, yet they 
may be easily arranged under several very natural 
groups. The species existing in high northern la- 
titudes, and becoming white in winter, — such as 
Lepus glacialis , campestris , and americanus, — will 
form the first group, to which L. variabilis, existing 
in the north of Scotland, although a very distinct 
species, is closely allied. Next may be placed the 
species with long ears and tails, such as L. Town- 
sejidii, longicaudatus, nigricaudatus, Richardsonii, 
and californica, all of which are confined to the 
western coast of North America. Lepus aquaticus 
and palustris, with the tarsi thinly clothed with 
hair, the nails extending beyond the fur, adapting 
them to their aquatic habits, will form another group, 
to which, in size, color, and shortness of tarsus, L. 
sylvaticus is allied, although it differs from the others 
in having its feet thickly clothed with fur. The 
L. artemesia , Bachmani, and Nuttallii, being compa- 
ratively diminutive in size, with short ears, head, 
and tail, will form the last, and very natural 
group. 
The species which have been given in this article, 
have not been published hastily, and without mature 
reflection, or a rigid test of examination. I would also 
add, that they were all, with the exception of L. Nut- 
tallii, which is sufficiently distinct, compared and ex- 
amined at the Museum of the Zoological Society in 
London, by some of the most eminent naturalists of 
Europe, who unhesitatingly acknowledged them as 
true species, and marked them as such in their ca- 
talogues and on their specimens. Although the 
