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Hares and rabbits are peculiarly the denizens of cold countries, as
their warm woolly covering would plainly indicate. In tropical climates
their place is supplied by other kinds of rodents, that resemble them in
habits, if not in "dress." Of these other animals we shall presently
speak. To the above remark, however a few partial exceptions may be
brought forward; since there is a species existing in Egypt known as the
Egyptian Hare, and there are three others at the Cape--the Rock Hare,
the Burrow Hare, and the Vlakte Haas. These, however, differ very
considerably from the common hares and rabbits of northern countries;
and the remark still holds good, that in the tropics--properly so
called--the hare does not exist: neither has any true hare been found in
the new world of Australia.

Otherwise, hares are plenteous in the different continents of Europe,
Asia, Africa, and America. In Asia there is a species inhabiting the
regions of the Altai Mountains, and another peculiar to the Siberian
territory, called the Tolai. There is an Indian species found in the
Nepaul Mountains, and a curious variety, also a native of Nepaul and the
Himalayas, known as the Woolly Hare of Thibet.

The Polar Hare, valued for its beautiful white fur, inhabits the
countries around the Arctic Ocean, and is common in Labrador and the
Hudson's Bay territory. In North America, also, there are several other
species of hares: the Marsh, or Swamp Hare, of the Southern United
States, which dwells among the extensive marshes of the Carolinas and
Louisiana, and which freely takes to the water; the Rabbit of the Middle
States, which is a true hare, though from its small size usually termed
a rabbit; the Californian Hare, indigenous to California, and also
another Marsh Hare, belonging to the same country. Upon the prairies
several distinct species have lately been discovered, among which the
Sage Hare deserves especial mention. This kind derives its name from
its being a dweller on the desert plains, where scarce any other
vegetation exists except the _artemisia_, or wild sage plant, the leaves
of which constitute the principal food of the animal, rendering its
flesh almost uneatable.

The _Calling Hares_ differ very much from the common hares and rabbits--
so much as to constitute a separate genus. Their ears are shorter, and
they are altogether without tails. Their habits, however, are very
similar to those of the hare family, and t