C6M0N HAH£. 
121 
gallop, or quick succession of leaps ; and they 
are extremely swift, particularly in ascending 
higher grounds,, to which, when pursued, they 
generally have recourse : here their large and 
strong hind legs are of singular use to them. In 
northern regions, where, oil the descent of the win- 
ter’s snows, they would, were their summer fur to 
remain, be rendered particularly conspicuous to 
animals of prey, they change their yellow-grey 
dress in the autumn, for one perfectly white ; and 
are thus enabled, in a great measure^ to elude their 
enemies. 
In more temperate regions they chuse in winter 1 
a form exposed to the south, to obtain all the pos- 
sible warmth of that season ; and in summer, when 
they are desirous of shunning the hot rays of the 
sun, they change this for one with a northerly as- 
pect ; but in both cases they have the instinct of 
generally fixing upon a place where the immediately 
surrounding objects are nearly the colour of their 
own bodies. 
An animal so well formed for a life of escape 
might be supposed to enjoy a state of tolerable 
security ; but as every rapacious creature is its 
enemy, it but very seldom lives out its natural 
term. Dogs of all kinds pursue it by instinct, 
and follow the hare more eagerly than any other 
animal. The cat and the weasel kinds are con- 
tinually lying in ambush, and practising all their 
little arts to seize it ; birds of prey are still more 
dangerous enemies, as against them no swiftness 
can avail, nor retreat secure ; but man, an enemy 
far more powerful than all, prefers its flesh to that 
of other animals, and destroys greater number* 
than all the rest. Thus pursued and persecuted 
on every side, the race would long since have been 
totally extirpated, did it not find a resource in its 
amazing fertility. 
YQh, ji. n 
