490 
MAMMALIA. 
colour as its coat: being thus confounded with the surrounding 
soil, it does not attract attention. 
Daring the daytime, the Hare does not generally stir from its 
form ; but as soon as the sun approaches the horizon, it goes forth 
to seek food — consisting of herbs, roots, and leaves. It is very 
fond of aromatic plants, such as thyme, sage, and parsley. It 
is also partial to the bark of some varieties of trees. 
Ho animal has so many enemies as the Hare. Snares and traps 
are set for it by poachers. Foxes, birds of prey — diurnal and 
nocturnal — and sportsmen, aided by Dogs, are all its implacable 
persecutors. 
To guard itself against so many perils, the poor creature has 
Fig. 212.— The Hare ( Lepus tiviidus). 
ears endowed with extraordinary mobility, and which catch the 
faintest sounds from a great distance ; four agile and very 
muscular limbs, which rapidly traverse space, and transport their 
owner quickly from its pursuers. In a word, its defence consists 
in perceiving danger and fleeing from it. 
The existence of the Hare is, we fear, only one long series of 
alarms and disturbances. Always on the alert, it can never 
enjoy more than a semi-repose, which is being continually 
broken by some menace.* Its timidity causes it to see death 
everywhere. La Fontaine, in speaking of the Hare, has well 
depicted this troubled state— 
“TJn souffle, une ombre, un rien, tout lui donnait la fievre.” 
It must not, however, be imagined that, when pursued, it runs by 
chance, and without purpose. Its tactics are, on the contrary, 
* That the Hare lives in this state of trepidation is incredible. — Ed. 
