88 Mr. J. E. Harting on Forest Animals.
become worn by gnawing, they continue to grow forward,
and so a fresh supply of tooth, so to say, is always main-
tained. If by any accident (as by a shot or otherwise) one
of the incisors should get broken or misplaced, the tooth
with which it should come into contact, not meeting with
any resistance, continues to grow downwards or upwards,
as the case may be, and gradually assumes the appearance
of a bony circle outside the mouth, to the great incon-
venience of the poor animal, sometimes, indeed, causing
death by starvation.
In the case of the rabbit, as many of you have doubtless
observed, such malformations are not uncommon. The
canine teeth being, as I have said, absent, there is quite a
gap between the incisors and the grinders, the latter being
so regular and similar in appearance that it is difficult to
recognize any distinction of molars and premolars.
The articulation of the lower jaw with the skull is pecu-
liar, for while it results in increasing the power of the
incisors or cutting teeth, it prevents much lateral movement
of the jaw, and ensures, as much as possible, the meeting
of the incisors in both jaws.
I might proceed to point out other peculiarities of struc-
ture which distinguish the Rodents from other animals;
but I fear to weary you with dry details, and will therefore
merely call your attention to the strong and muscular hind
limbs which they possess, enabling them to leap and run
with great facility and swiftness. They may be said to be
all vegetable eaters, although some of the species, like the
common rat and house-mouse, are omnivorous.
In the case of such common animals as the Hare and
Rabbit, it is not to be supposed that I can say anything
very new ; but I may assume on the present occasion that
there are some who, though perfectly familiar with the
outward appearance of these animals, may not have paid
much attention to their natural history.
In many respects hares and rabbits, though externally
somewhat similar in shape and colour (I once shot a wild
rabbit of the exact colour of a hare), are very dissimilar.
Rabbits are born blind, and nearly naked ; while young