e two) which,
though White when he saw them in Winter, they assur'd him had been Black,
or of other Colours before the Winter began, and would be so again when it
was over. But for further satisfaction, I also consulted one that had for
some years been an Eminent Physician in _Russia_, who though he rejected
some other Traditions that are generally enough believ'd concerning that
Countrey, told me nevertheless, that he saw no cause to doubt of this
Tradition of _Olaus Magnus_ as to Foxes and Hares, not onely because 'tis
the common and uncontroul'd Assertion of the Natives, but also because he
himself in the Winter could never that he remember'd see Foxes and Hares of
any other Colour than White; And I my self having seen a small White Fox
brought out of _Russia_ into _England_ towards the latter end of Winter,
foretold those that shew'd him me, that he would change Colour in Summer,
and accordingly coming to look upon him again in _July_, I found that the
Back and Sides, together with the upper part of the Head and Tayl were
already grown of a Dark Colour, the lower part of the Head and Belly
containing as yet a Whiteness. Let me add, that were it not for some
scruple I have, I should think more than what _Olaus_ relates, confirm'd by
the judicious _Olearius_, who was twice employ'd into those parts as a
Publick Minister, who in his Account of _Moscovy_ has this Passage: _The
Hares there are Gray; but in some Provinces they grow white in the Winter_.
And within some few Lines after: _It is not very Difficult to find the
Cause of this Change, which certainly proceeds only from the Outward Cold,
since I know that even in Summer, Hares will change Colour, if they be kept
a competent time in a Cellar_; I say, were it not for Some Scruple, because
I take notice, that in the same Page the Author Affirms, that the like
change of Colour that happens to Hares in some Provinces of _Muscovy_,
happens to them also in _Livonia_, and yet immediately subjoyns, that in
_Curland_ the Hares vary not their Colour in Winter, though these two last
named Countries be contiguous, (that is) sever'd only by the River of
_Dugna_; For it is scarce conceivable how Cold alone should have, in
Countries so near, so strangely differing an operation, though no less
strange a thing is confess'd by many, that ascribe the Complexion of
_Negroes_ to the Heat of the Sun, when they would have the River of
_Cenega_ so to bound the _Moors_, that though on the No