straight; the hind-feet firm and broad; front and hind alike totally
regardless of rough ground; the hind-legs far longer than the fore,
inclined outwards somewhat; the fur[54] short and light.

[49] Reading {katophere [stenen ek tou emprosthen]}. See Lenz ad loc.
pp. 23, 24. Pollux, v. 69.

[50] Reading {[lepton, periphere]}.

[51] {sugkola}, al. "compactly knit."

[52] Lit. {ou barutonon}, "not deep sounding" = {ou sarkodes}, Pollux,
ib.

[53] Reading {lagonas ugras lagaras ikanos}.

[54] {trikhona}, "the coat."

I say an animal so happily constructed must needs be strong and
pliant; the perfection of lightness and agility. If proof of this
lightness and agility be needed, here is a fact in illustration. When
proceeding quietly, its method of progression is by leaps; no one ever
saw or is likely to see a hare walking. What it does is to place the
hind-feet in front of the fore-feet and outside them, and so to run,
if running one can call it. The action prints itself plainly on snow.
The tail is not conducive to swiftness of pace, being ill adapted by
its stumpiness to act as a rudder to direct the body. The animal has
to do this by means of one or other ear;[55] as may be seen, when she
is on the point of being caught by the hounds.[56] At that instant you
may see her drop and shoot out aslant one of her ears towards the