494 
MAMMALIA. 
beside its master* and scratched his arm with its fore-paw to 
attract attention. The Hare may also be taught various tricks, 
such as beating a drum, dancing, and firing-off a pistol. But 
such is the power of the instinct of liberty in them, that, even 
when captured at the earliest age, they will frequently return 
to a wild state. 
The Hare is well known as a table delicacy ; it makes ex- 
cellent soup, appreciated alike by all classes. The mountain 
Hares, although not generally so fat or large as those from the 
plains or wood, have more flavour, as they principally feed on 
aromatic plants. Those which live in low, marshy situations 
should be absolutely rejected, for their flesh is pale and of bad 
quality. The law of Moses and the Koran prohibits the use of 
Hare’s flesh as food, doubtless because of its stimulating pro- 
perties, which might, in Eastern climates, give rise to incon- 
venience. 
The fur of the Hare has its uses ; and before the introduction 
of silk for the purpose, it was employed in the manufacture of 
gentlemen’s hats. 
Among Hares are found individuals which are quite white ; 
these are the albinos of their race, and are characterised by red 
eyes. However, it is necessary to guard against confounding 
them with another species, familiarly known as Mountain Hares, 
whose pelage in the summer is of a greyish-fawn colour, but 
changes to white during the winter, and who inhabit the elevated 
summits of mountains and the northern regions of the two 
continents. 
The Hare is spread over the whole surface of the globe, and at 
all altitudes, except in Madagascar. Everywhere its habits are 
nearly the same. 
We will now pass to the Babbit. 
Closely allied to the Hare in its form and external aspect, the 
two differ greatly in habits. The Rabbit lives in societies, and 
retires into burrows. It is not found on the open plain, but chooses 
for its home places where there are hillocks and woody banks. 
Like the Hare, the Rabbit has not a preference for day ; but 
towards evening it comes forth and gambols about in the glades 
(Fig. 215), or nibbles the dewy herbage. It is particularly partial 
to moonlight for making its forays (Fig. 216). 
