Family V. Leporidæ
(Hares, &c.)
A remarkable exception to the ordinary character of the Rodentia, distinguishes the typical genera of the present family. Behind the two incisive teeth, common to the group, there are in the Hares in the upper jaw two additional ones of smaller size. The molars are numerous, destitute of true roots. The interior of the cheeks, and the soles of the feet, are clothed with hair as the external parts. The fur is copious, soft; the eyes are large, and prominent; the tail very short or wanting; the hind limbs usually more developed than the fore ones; the clavicles are wanting.
The Leporidæ are timid, vigilant, and swift-footed. Their geographical distribution is extensive; but North America alone contains nearly as many species as are known to inhabit all the rest of the world.
Genus Lepus. (Linn.)
The Hare is an animal of extreme vigilance; its senses are very acute, its fleetness, in proportion to its size, perhaps unrivalled. Were it otherwise it must be soon exterminated, for it has no power of defence, and no means of concealment,
THE HARE.
except that of lying close among the russet herbage; while it has many enemies. Birds of prey pounce upon it; dogs pursue it eagerly; foxes, stoats, polecats, and weasels, prey upon it; but its worst foe is man, who even from remote times has counted the chace of the Hare among the most exciting of rural amusements. "But, after all," observes Mr. Bell on this subject,
'Poor is the triumph o'er the timid Hare;'
and whatever excuses may be found for the pursuit of the Fox on the score of necessity, as ridding the country of a noxious animal,—an excuse, however, which can scarcely be made by those who forbid its destruction by any other means, as an unpardonable offence against the sportman's arbitrary code,—no such excuse can be made for this sport; whilst, on the other hand, the degree of danger and difficulty is scarcely sufficient to invest it with enough of excitement to conceal its character of cowardice and cruelty. It is true that coursing is in a degree less cruel, as the poor trembler's agony is comparatively short-lived; but it appears to me that mercy and humanity can scarcely consist with the ardent love of either variety of a sport, the whole interest of which depends upon the intense exertion to which a helpless and defenceless creature can be driven by the agonies of fear and desperation."[1]
Mr. Jesse adduces instances which shew that the sense of smell is acute and delicate in the Hare: poachers acquainted with this fact set their nets at some particular gap in a field, and then, going round the field, whiff tobacco-smoke over all the other gaps and runs. The Hares will not pass where the smoke has been blown, but selects the untainted egress, and so is caught.[2] The male or Jack-hare will seek his mate and trace her by the scent. Mr. Jesse has seen one when at fault make a cast, and hunt his ground as a dog would do, till he had again hit off the right way, and follow with the greatest eagerness.[3] The male will readily take to the water in search of his companion.
Cowper's three pet Hares are perpetuated by his own muse, which threw a charm over everything it touched. He represents them as amiable and interesting. One would not expect animals so proverbially timid and defenceless to fight with a courage so indomitable as to yield only with life. Yet Mr. Waterton has described in his own graphic manner, a battle of two Hares, which took place before his own eyes; which was continued till one died upon the field, the conqueror continuing to strike his prostrate adversary, when incapable of further resistance, with a pertinacious malice and fury."[4]
