When the earth is bursting with new verdure,[23] fields and farm-lands
rather than mountains are their habitat.[24] When tracked by the
huntsman their habit is everywhere to await approach, except only in
case of some excessive scare during the night, in which case they will
be on the move.

[23] "When the ground teems with vegetation."

[24] Or, "they frequent cultivated lands," etc.

The fecundity of the hare is extraordinary. The female, having
produced one litter, is on the point of producing a second when she is
already impregnated for a third.[25]

[25] Re hyper-foetation cf. Pollux, v. 73, ap. Schneid.; Herod. iii.
108; Aristot. "H. A." iv. 5; Erastosthenes, "Catasterism," 34;
Aelian, "V. H." ii. 12; Plin. "N. H." vii. 55.

The scent of the leveret lies stronger[26] than that of the grown
animal. While the limbs are still soft and supple they trail full
length on the ground. Every true sportsman, however, will leave these
quite young creatures to roam freely.[27] "They are for the goddess."
Full-grown yearlings will run their first chase very swiftly,[28] but
they cannot keep up the pace; in spite of agility they lack strength.

[26] Cf. Pollux, v. 74.

[27] {aphiasi}, cf. Arrian, xxii. 1, "let them go free"; Aesch. "P.
V." 666; Plat. "Prot." 320 A.