HARE, Leptis, a genus of rodent quadrupeds, of which there are many species very similar to each other. The Linmean genus lepus now forms the family leporhice, which includes the genera lepus and lagomys, and of which a peculiar characteristic is the pres ence of two small incisors immediately behind the ordinary rodent incisors of the upper jaw, so that these teeth scent to be double. The molar-teeth, six on each side above and five below, are transversely grooved, being formed of two vertical plates soldered together. All the animals of this family feed exclusively on vegetable food, and chiefly on herbage, although they are also fond of grain, roots, and the bark of trees. Their fore-feet have five toes, their hind-feet four; the soles are hairy. Their fur is soft; the colors mostly gray or brown, the alpine and arctic species becoming white iu winter.— The COMMON HARE (L. timidus) is widely distributed over Europe and the northern and central parts of Asia. The limit HARE (L. Ilibernicas) has, however, recently been described as a distinct species. It differs from the common hare in its rounder head, shorter ears, and shorter limbs; also in having the fur composed only of one kind of hair, short and soft, with none of the long black-tippd hairs which are mixed with this in the common species. The fur, therefore•is of no value. The common hare is not found in Ireland. Notwithstanding the character of timidity usually ascribed to the hare, it is really a pugnacious animal, and displays no little courage in encounters with those of its own race, or with animals of nearly equal powers. It has been an object of the chase from a very early period. Xenophon, in his Cynegetieus, gives an enthusiastic description of the sport. Concerning the hunting of the hare, see COURSING. Being evidently designed to seek safety front enemies by fleetness, the hare, however well supplied with food, never becomes fat. It ordinarily lies quiet in its form during 'the
day, and goes in quest of food in the evening and morning. Where, through game pre serving, it is abundant, it does no little damage to crops. It is a prolific animal, although not nearly so much so as the rabbit. The female produces from two to five at a birth. The young (leverets) are horn covered with hair, and with the eyes opera—The VARYING HARE or ALPINE HARE (L. ivcrialalis), inhabits the mountains both of the n. and s. of Europe, and is found on those of Scotland and of Cumberland, is remarkable for the change of color which it undergoes, without change of hair, on the approach of winter. Ordinarily of a bluish-gray color, it becomes o? a shining white, the change beginning with the feet, and extending upwards, terminating with the back. This, which in many places is called the blue hare, is about equal in size to the common hare, but has shorter limbs and ears, and is less swift.—In the arctic regions both of the old and new worlds, the Auc•c HARE or Pot.Art HARE (L. glacialh,) abounds. It is entirely white in winter, brownish-gray in summer, has long soft fur on the belly, and.. fine thick fur on the back; is considerablylarger than the common hare, and spends the whole year without hibernation, even in Melville island, and Onilar cold desolate regions; lichens and mosses probably affording it the greater part of its food.—North America produces a number of other species of hare, of which some inhabit the swamps of the southern states.—India has a hare (L. rulleaudatus) very similar to the common hare; other species arc found in other parts of Asia, Egypt, the cape of Good Hope, etc. The fur of the hare is used for felting for making hats and other purposes.