Mythology of Lepus
An ancient constellation, LEPUS, The Hare, is seen by the Greeks as representing the prey of CANIS MAJOR.
Lepus, the Hare is located just below Orion and west of Cannis (Major and Minor). The mythology of Lepus has been lost, but it was known to the Greeks, it is commonly believed to be the prey of Orion. This begs the question why such a formidable hunter would bother with a rabbit? Lepus sets as Corvus is rising and this could be of some significance. Ancient coins of the Chinese and Greeks, cylinders from Egypt and agate seals from Syria show an eagle battling a hare. This would however, point more to a significance with Aquila.
One of the more significant stars in Lepus was discovered in 1845 by J.R. Hind called the Hind's Crimson Star, which he described as a drop of blood on a black field. The star is a variable, ranging from 6 to 8.5 magnitudes, placing within range of modest telescopes and binoculars.