The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1895-01-16
EARS or A RABBIT.
Different Positions In Which They Carry
Them--Styies for Eating and Running.

Different Positions In Which They Garry
Them--styies for Eating and Running.
"Did you ever see a rabbits ears
stand up like that?" demanded Uncle
Tom, Tipping the ears of a toy that
Dolly held in her hand
"Yes, indeed" answered Dolly
promptly, pointing to the picture of a
rabbit in book that lay at her side.
The little girl had bought a pattern
of rabbit at the store and with bit
OF white canton-fannel and two red
and white buttons for eyes she had
fashioned ribbit for little Ted that
was as like as life. EVERYTHING was
finished now except the ears, and
these, daintily lined with pink, Dolly
was in the act of putting into their
proper places. She had bestowed great
care on placing these useful members
correctly, and for that purpose she had
hunted up the book, which she knew
contained an admirable picture Of q
ribbit.
Initiating this picture as accurately
as possible she had fastened one ear,
setting ii on the head in perfectly
upright position, and now she was
holding the other TO its place on the
opposite side, and was eyeing it at
arms length to decide IL the two were
"a pair"
Uncle Tom took the book and exam
ined the picture critically; then laugh
ing, he said:
why, Dolly, the rabbit in the pic
ture is sitting still, nibbling at cab
bage leaf; OF course his ears stand
straight np. Bat this one that you
have made is running at full speed and
Justin the act Of making leap. A
rabbit in that position should have his
ears lying back from his head, almost
parallel with his body"
''Does the wind blow them back as
he runs?' asked Dolly. making the al
iteration without further question.
That" said her uncle, much
amused, "is one explanation, perhaps,
but there is another and think bet
ter one, which the naturalists sug-
gest."
Turning over the leaves of the pic
tuTo-book he pointed first to the pic
ture Of fox, then to one of a wolf,
and then 10 pictures Of other beasts OF
prey Of various kinds
These animals" he explained, indi-
eating the ears OF each, ''have the ears
pointed forward as they proceed. Can
you suggest any reason for the differ
ence?'
Dolly shook her head, but listened
attentively.
Well, continued Uncle Tom, "you
know that the rabbit, or hare, isa very
timid animal and never attacks or pur-
sues another animal, and that il feeds
only on vegetable diet. Whenever,
therefore, IL is found to be in a state Of
motion the chances are that Il
is fleeing from some enemy in
the rear. IL is to its inter
ests. then, 10 keep its attention
steadily fixed ON sounds preceding
from that quarter. For this purpose
nature has taught IL to adjust its ears,
or its ear trumpet, as the long outside
part Of the organ Of hearing really Is,
so Rs TO best collect all the sound
waves, and 10 offer the least resistance
10 their passage 10 the inner organ.
In such position the ears would nat.
urally be flattened back against its
head, as You now have them.
Now, when a wolf goes in search Of
his prey his thoughts are intent on
what Is before him. lie concentrates
his attention ON the sounds that may
lead him in the direction Of his victim.
His ear trumpcts, therefore. are turned
forward 10 catch the sounds that may
aid him In his chase"
And 50 Il Is with all animals that
prey upon others Detroit Free Press.