Page:Natural History (1848).djvu/235

Rh The Hare is an animal of extreme vigilance &#59; its senses are very acute, its fleetness, in proportion to its size, perhaps unrivalled. Were it other- wise it must be soon exterminated, for it has no power of defence, and no means of concealment,

"except that of lying close among the russet herbage&#59; while it has many enemies. Birds of prey pounce upon it&#59; dogs pursue it eagerly&#59; foxes, stoats, polecats, and weasels, prey upon it&#59; 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,