Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Handy Natural History
The Handy Natural History
**
Plate
I.
2.Orang-Outan
3. Gorilla
4.
Chimpanzee
THE HANDY
NATURAL HISTORY
By
ERNEST PROTHEROE,
F.Z.S.
\\
With
318 Illustrations
BOSTON
RICHARD G. BADGER
83) e (gorftam
IQIO
BIOLOGY
LIBRARY
G
Preface
THE
to
study of
Natural
History affords
many
solid
and superintendence.
The present work
an intelligent interest
is
in the subject
by that large
class of
readers who have neither the time nor the taste for intricate
technical details
and for this reason an animal is sometimes presented out of the order which a rigid scientific
;
classification
would demand.
Though
it
is
it
make no
hoped
it
preten-
will furnish
who
and
dumb
necessities,
creatures
our comforts,
Some
occur in the
255130
PREFACE
iv
&
extracts
Game
thanks
Shooting);
or Explorations and
Discoveries) ; Longmans, Green & Co. (Eight Years in Ceylon) ;
Macmillan & Co. (A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa, Nile
Messrs. Hurst
Blackett (Lake
Tributaries of Abyssinia,
Mr.
John
Murray
These
Ngami
(Livingstone's Missionary
extracts alone refer to C. J.
Travels
and
and
Andersonn,
Samuel Baker, H. A. Bryden, Major C. S. Cumberland,
E. D. Cuming, Livingstone, F. C. Selous, and A. R. Wallace.
Other well-known writers, e.g., Rev. ]. G. Wood and
Researches).
Sir
is
Contents
CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE
WORLD OF NATURE
PAGE
The Creation
Man's demands
upon the Animal World A journey into the ways and byways
of the Animal World The Vertebrate Animals The Invertebrate Animals
Mammalia Aves Reptilia Batrachia
Table of the orders of the class Mammalia Scientific
Animals The threshold of our task The riches and
treasures of God's love and goodness
Pisces
names
of
CHAPTER
ORDER
SUB-ORDER
I.
i.
II
PRIMATES
BIMANA (MAN)
CHAPTER
ORDER
SUB-ORDER
2.
I.
III
PRIMATES
(continued)
The Quadrumana,
15
CONTENTS
vi
PAGE
Origin
or
Genus Semnopithecus
Red Monkey
Hanuman Monkey
Dermoptera: Colugo
Aye-aye
CHAPTER
ORDER
General
of
IV
CHIROPTERA (BATS)
II.
description
31
the
Long-eared Bat
Whiskered Bat HorseFruit Bats
Kalong
Chiroptera
77
CHAPTER V
ORDER
INSECTIVORA (INSECT-EATERS)
III.
Insectivora
Mole
Hedgehog
Pigmy Shrew Water Shrew Elephant
Tana or Tree Shrew Potamogale
Common Shrew
Shrew
Tanrec
CHAPTER
ORDER
IV.
VI
-CARNIVORA (FLESH-EATERS)
SUB-ORDER
i.
Cheetah
Hyasnas
Ichneumon
Mongoose
89
CONTENTS
vii
PAGE
Sloth Bear
Spectacled Bear
CHAPTER
ORDER
IV.
SUB-ORDER
2.
103
VII
CARNIVORA
(continued)
Fur Seal
Walrus
189
CHAPTER
ORDER
V.
SUB-ORDER
SUB-ORDER
General
i.
2.
SIMPLE-TOOTHED RODENTS
DOUBLE-TOOTHED RODENTS
Common
Polatouche
VIII
Assapan
Table of Sub-orders
CHAPTER
ORDER
Pika
207
IX
VI.
SUB-ORDER
SUB-ORDER
SUB-ORDER
Guinea Pig
i.
2.
3.
HYRACOIDEA
PROBOSCIDEA (PROBOSCIS BEARERS)
PERISSODACTYLA (ODD-TOED ANIMALS)
CONTENTS
viii
PAGE
order
3.
family
Horse
Wild Ass
249
CHAPTER X
ORDER
SUB-ORDER
4.
UNGULATA
VI.
(continued)
General
Artiodactyla
Group I. Ruminantia
of the Pecora, or true Ruminants
Hollowhorned Ruminants Family Bovidae Domestic Ox Zebu
Sub-order
4.
description
Wild Oxen
Gaur
Gayal
Banting
Kudu
Hartebeest
Blesbok
Antelope
Klipspringer
Royal Antelope Dik-Dik Antelope Family CameGiraffe
Solid-horned Ruminants
lopardalidae
Okapi
General description
Red Deer Fallow
Family Cervidae
Deer Roe Deer
Elk
Reindeer
Wapiti Virginian Deer
Mule Deer Pampas Deer Brockets Pudu Deer Axis
Deer
Sambar Schomburgk's Deer Eld's Deer Muntjac
Japanese Water Deer Chinese Water Deer Elaphure
Addax
Musk Deer
289
CHAPTER
ORDER
SUB-ORDER
VI.
XI
UNGULATA
ARTIODACTYLA (continued}
GROUP ILTRAGULINA (CHEVROTAINS)
GROUP IILTYLOPADA (CAMELS)
GROUP IV.SUINA (SWINE-LIKE ANIMALS}
4.
Group
369
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
ORDER
VII.
ix
XII
SIRENIA (MANATEES)
PAGE
Manatee
CHAPTER
ORDER
VIIL
Dugong
395
XIII
Whale
401
CHAPTER XIV
ORDER
IX.
EDENTATA (TOOTHLESS
ANIMALS)
Three-toed Sloth
TwoAardvark
Pangolin
419
CHAPTER XV
ORDER
X.
MARSUPIALIA (POUCHED
ANIMALS)
429
451
CHAPTER XVI
ORDER XL MONOTREMATA
General description of the Monotremata
Echidna
Duckbill
List of Illustrations
COLOURED PLATES
A Welcome
.....
Return
PLATE
I.
i.
White-handed Gibbon.
4.
II.
i.
III.
i.
Chimpanzee
Red Howler.
2.
BarbaryApe.
2. Green Monkey.
3. Capuchin
Aye- Aye.
6.
4. Slender Loris.
5. Ruffled Lemur.
Monkey.
Mandrill
Bat.
Vampire
3.
2. Pipistrelle.
3.
V.
VI.
i.
i.
Leopard.
VII.
i.
Striped Hyaena.
VIII.
i.
Civet.
X.
i.
Otter.
6.
i.
Brown
XII.
i.
Sea Lion.
i.
Bear.
5.
2.
2.
5.
.161
Badger.
.176
.187
......
Sea Leopard.
3.
Common
142
Marten.
.
124
5.
4. Glutton.
Polar Bear
Walrus
4.
Mink
8.
.117
Jackal
139
Common Fox.
4. Polecat.
3. Coaiti.
88
4.
3. Stoat.
Ferret.
7.
Mongoose.
.
Skunk.
2.
3.
Raccoon
Bear.
4. Jaguar
3. Lynx.
Spotted Hyaena. 3. Wolf.
Sable.
Weasel.
XL
XIII.
Fox
2.
Kinkajou.
6.
2.
Ichneumon.
2.
Arctic
Cheetah.
2.
.55
Long-eared Bat.
Tanrec. 7. Water
5.
i.
Hanuman
Mouse-coloured Bat. 5. Mo e. 6.
Shrew. 8. Elephant Shrew. 9. Hedgehog
Puma. 2. Tiger. 3. Lion
j
.16
4.
IX.
Baboon.
Siamang.
Monkey
i.
3. Gorilla.
Orang-Outan.
4.
5.
IV.
2.
Frontispiece
FACING PAGE
Seal.
4.
Sea
202
Guinea Pig.
2. Chinchilla.
4. Rabbit.
3. Porcupine.
8. Syrian
6. Hare.
5. Capybara.
7. Golden Agouti.
.211
Hyrax
Brown Rat. 2. Lemming. 3. Musquash. 4. Squirrel.
5. Tana. 6. Hamster. 7. Marmot. 8. Jerboa. 9. Beaver
234
.
XIV.
i.
XV.
i.
Rhinoceros.
XVI.
i.
Wild
XVIL
i.
Quagga.
....
.
Ass.
2.
2.
African Elephant
Horse
Domestic Ass.
2.
3.
Zebra.
4.
Malayan Tapir
257
274
287
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Xll
FACING PAGE
PLATE
2. Domestic Swine.
Merino Sheep.
5. Cow and Calf
4. Domestic Goat.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
i.
Ibex. 2.
i.
Gnu.
XXIV.
XXV.
XXVI.
i.
2.
Equine Antelope.
Eland
2.
Giraffe
i.
Red Deer.
Musk Deer.
i.
Elk.
i.
Llama.
i.
Wild Boar.
i.
Cachalot.
2.
Muntjac.
Gazelle. 4.
3.
3.
Roe Deer
3.
2.
Babyrussa.
i.
Manatee.
XXXI.
i.
Armadillo.
....
XXXII.
i.
Bandicoot.
2.
Whale.
2.
Wombat.
2.
5.
Three-toed Sloth.
Great Anteater
Banded
Opossum.
5.
Narwhal.
Dugong.
Dolphin
5.
Humpbacked
3.
Anteater.
3.
330
339
346
354
369
384
Hippopotamus
3.
301
Greenland Whale.
2.
Fallow Deer
Bactrian Camel
294
Waterbuck 327
...
Kanchil.
2.
2.
XXX.
4.
2.
Reindeer
Whale
4.
2.
......
.....
Mouflon.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIII.
XXVII.
XXVIII.
XXIX.
Yak. 3. Zebu
Chamois. 3. Argali
European Bison.
Sheep.
3.
.
403
Killer
414
Pangolin.
.
419
Marsupial Mole.
6.
Flying Phalanger.
Kangaroo
430
PLATES
Galago.
2.
Colugo.
Kalong.
Heads
of
2.
2.
i.
VIII.
IX.
Caracal.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
Suricate.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
2.
129
144
H5
....
....
......
....
....
.....
....
.
XV.
XIX.
2.
Grizzly Bear
Malayan Bear. 2. Sloth Bear
Seal Rookery and Sea Elephant
i.
I.
Field Voles.
2.
Prairie
Dog
75
86
87
128
size)
XIV.
XVIII.
64
65
IV.
XVI.
XVII.
32
33
Pig-tailed
III.
V.
VI.
VII.
...
Young Orang-Outan
Macaque. 2. Patas Monkey
Mangabey. 2. Wanderoo
Spider Monkey. 2. Common Marmoset
I.
II.
148
149
156
157
182
183
196
208
209
215
224
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Xlll
PLATE
FACING PAGE
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.
XXVI.
XXVII.
XXVIII.
i.
XXX.
i.
Musk Ox.
i.
Tahr.
i.
Young Pronghorn.
2.
i.
Klipspringer.
i.
Dik-Dik Antelope.
i.
Giraffe.
Head
XXXVIII.
i.
XXXIX.
i.
XL.
XLI.
XLII.
i.
i.
i.
of a
2.
i.
XLIV.
i.
XLV.
i.
Addax Antelope
343
358
Wapiti
Sambar Deer.
Axis Deer
2.
Tree Kangaroo.
359
374
Okapi. 2. Dromedary
Vicuna. 2. Wart Hog
Collared Peccary. 2. Aard-vark
The Cachalot's Fight for Power.
382
......
.
2.
Red-necked Wallaby
Spotted Cuscus. 2. Rat Kangaroo
Spotted Dasyure. 2. Tasmanian Devil
Koala and Cub. 2. Thylacine
2.
XLVI.
XLVII.
i.
Echidna.
XLVIII.
i.
Head
i.
336
337
342
2.
Red Deer
Whale Baby
XLIII.
321
332
Swamp Deer
2.
Antlers of the
2.
Nilgai Antelope
Beatrix Antelope
XXXIV.
XXXV.
....
....
....
2. Angora Goats
Markhor
XXXIII.
XXXVI.
XXXVII.
239
272
273
304
305
320
XXIX.
XXXI.
XXXII.
225
.2 3 8
2.
Crab-eating
of the Echidna.
2.
391
A Sperm
401
436
437
.445
<\/\/\
Opossum
Duckbill
.451
450
.18
.19
.20
.22
-23
-25
-39
Vertebra
.
The Heart of Man, showing valves
.
of the
Chimpanzee
Blood
27
.34
.35
Man
36
41
.42
.45
.48
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
xiv
PAGE
....
....
Platyrrhine Monkey
Hand of a Spider Monkey
Skeleton of the Ruffled Lemur
.60
.
...
....
.
Hedgehog
the Mole
Fortress
Skull of the
...
Dog
Wolf
the Weasel
Head
Skull of the
Mouse
80
92
95
96
.97
....
.
.in
...
.
100
106
.109
.114
131
.135
.141
.145
.161
.164
.170
.174
.179
186
.192
....
.....
.....
.....
of the
of a Rabbit
152
.
and Dentition
Skeleton of
.
Skull of the Polecat
Skeleton of the Badger
.
.
Skull of the Otter
.
Skull of the Kinkajou
Skeleton of the Polar Bear
.
.
.
Skeleton of the Seal
Hind Flippers of the Seal
Skeleton of the Sea Lion (walking attitude)
Vertical Section of the Skin of the Fur Seal
Skull
61
.64
.66
.71
.73
-74
-75
.75
.76
... ...
...
...
$2
Walrus
194
.199
200
204
.210
.211
.221
.221
.223
.
227
.236
.243
.246
.253
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Skeleton of the
Mammoth
xv
......
.256
...
255
....
...
.
260
267
......
.......
......
....
.......
......
.......
.......
......
......
.......
.....
......
......
.....
.......
....
.......
.
.272
.275
Hoof
Antlers of the Virginian Deer
Antlers of Schomburgk's Deer
Skull of the Musk Deer
Foot of the Camel
Bones of the Fore Foot of the Camel
Water Cells of the Stomach of the Camel
Foot of the Llama
Stomach of the Llama
Teeth of the Wild Boar
Bones of the Foot of the Pig
of Elk's
Skull of the
Lower Jaw
Wart Hog.
of the
.310
310
.311
.315
.316
317
326
335
338
.351
353
360
364
.367
.373
.379
372
374
380
384
386
.390
392
.398
405
412
....
.....
.
306
307
Hippopotamus
Skeleton of the Manatee
Baleen or Whalebone
279
292
293
295
.296
Under-view
277
.278
.278
......
......
......
.
.421
.423
426
427
432
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
xvi
PAGE
Hind Foot
Teeth of
of the Great
......
.......
....
Kangaroo
the Great Kangaroo
.
-432
Opossum
Echidna
Fore Foot of the Duckbill
Under-view of the Bill of the Duckbill
of the
....
434
442
444
448
454
.455
455
Chapter
INTRODUCTION
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD
OF NATURE
The
goodness.
CHAPTER
Introduction
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD OF
NATURE
history in its widest sense deals with the
universe, or everything which God created
beginning. More often, however, it is applied to
NATURAL
entire
in the
The study
it is
and
its
productions
kingdom
and not
alone.
of inorganic nature
opens up to us a vast
The blue ethereal sky from
INTRODUCTION
most luxuriant
is
giant trees
their
further supplies.
and
all
beyond
is
it is alive.
We can watch a plant
Vegetation is organic
a
seed
we
life
from
can see it put forth
tiny
spring into
the
and
can
later development
shoot
its tender
;
study
and
flower
and
fruit.
There is nothing
and
leaves
of stem
in the whole realm of nature more mysterious than this
;
not sentient
though
or
their situation
become
On
'
ment
And
of heaven.'
of the
and
earth
after
everything
his
that
and
creepeth
'
God made
cattle
upon
after
the beast
their
the earth
kind,
his
after
The
make
their
homes
there,
according
to
of
their
inhabit them.
'
they could
assure
us that
to
con-
his pride.
from roast
national
beef.
INTRODUCTION
The
lion,
tiger,
jaguar,
by man
are eaten
We
black
cat
on a Chinese menu
is
always
an
expensive
item.
That the
more or
less palatable is
more
easily understood.
larks,
to market in
immense
common
fried canaries
quantities ; in Madeira
dine on
to
For sentimental reasons we should object
dish.
'
of
these
sweet birds that breathe the spirit
song, and
'
'
are
For other
surround heaven's gate in melodious throng.'
a
vulture
that had
of
we
decline
the
flesh
reasons
should
Towers
of
around
the
its
Silence, outside
picked up
living
dead
for food for
where
the
Parsees
their
expose
Bombay,
these most repulsive specimens of the feathered world.
Of
all our animal foods we pay special attention to the freshness
of fish
but the Gold Coast negro prefers his shark-flesh
when it is well advanced towards putrefaction. Even
reptiles and insects minister to man's appetite.
They may
be hideous in shape and movement, loathsome and veno;
to touch, but
them.
his
in the satisfaction of
horns,
fashions
ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION
Ireland,
nomena
task
We
progress.
Yet,
however
large or
however
great and
seeth
Him who
Often
tiny
it
may
all
when we
is
and maketh
are
all.
meeting with
no success
in
our
INTRODUCTION
search for
some
lost article
we
like
is
In dealing with
own
maze
of streets in his
own
city.
brate
never exceed four, are in pairs. The blood of the verteis warm and red
all, with the exception of fishes,
breathe air through lungs and all of them possess a heart.
The Invertebrate Animals include all beings of lower
They possess neither cranium nor brain,
organisation.
brates
sides,
tail.
horizontally
instead
true
insects
have
six
the spider,
which
is
in
in
groups the
warm-blooded and the cold-blooded. Man, the four-footed
beasts, and birds fall into the first group
snakes, frogs,
:
fishes, &c.,
set
It is
customary,
out overleaf.
INTRODUCTION
io
VERTEBRATE ANIMALS
The
classes
Vertebrate animals
are
usually arranged
in
five
Animals which
suckle their young, bringing them into the world alive.
Examples Man, monkey, ox, elephant, and whale.
Birds are oviparous they
II. Aves (Latin, avis, a bird).
are produced from eggs by the application of heat, usually
supplied by the body of the mother bird in close contact
I.
Mammalia
(Latin
mamma,
teat).
with them. The covering of mammals varies very considerably, but birds are always clothed with feathers, which are
a part of their special construction for flight. Examples
:
and
lark.
'I
of
life
that
many
of
'
them
will survive
an apt name,
do not creep.
Examples
They
their
development
chambers. A true amphibian possesses
and
water.
They
some
similarities in
resemblance to
each
other in
some
certain
prominent
characteristics.
Each order
which
less, in
distinct,
perhaps
almost
istics.
trifling,
INTRODUCTION
12
MAMMALIA
I.
animals.
SUB-ORDER
i.
SUB-ORDER
Example
2.
Proboscidea
SUB-ORDER
3.
daktulos,
Perissodactyla (Greek, perisos, superfluous
finger or toe), odd-toed animals. Examples: Tapir,
Rhinoceros, Horse, Ass, and Zebra.
;
SUB-ORDER
4.
daktulos, finger or
Group i.
Pecora (Latin, plural of pecus, cattle) or Ruminantia
(Latin, rumen, a paunch), ruminating or cudExamples: Ox, Sheep, Goat,
chewing animals.
Antelope, Deer, and Giraffe.
2.
podos, a foot),
cutaneous pads.
Example: Camel.
4.
Suina (Latin, SMS, a pig), swine-like animals. Examples: Swine, Peccary, and Hippopotamus.
Sirenia (Latin, siren, a sea nymph), Sea-cows.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Ex-
Kanchil.
ample
Group 3.
Tylopada (Greek,
:
Group
13
Edentata
animals.
(Latin,
edentatus,
Examples:
Sloth,
toothless),
toothless
Ant-eater and
Arma-
dillo.
X.
XI.
Monotremata
birds.
Example
Duckbill.
common
to the scientific
whatever
may
be the
particular
Nature
is:
Sub-kingdom,
Carnivora.
Vertebrata.
Class,
Mammalia.
Order,
INTRODUCTION
Although we propose to
visit
only what
we may term
We
cross the
oceans and
we
among whom
they dwell.
We
shall, too,
often
stray
mere contemplation
every new fact which we glean will prove but one more
testimony of God's power upon earth, and proof of the
riches and treasures of His love and goodness to all
mankind.
Chapter
ORDER
SUB-ORDER
I.
I.
II
PRIMATES
BIMANA (MAN)
-The bony
Muscles
the blood
skeleton
Vertebral column
Brain and nerves
Circulation of
Digestion
Teeth
Respiration
Labour's magic
wand The
curse mitigated.
Plate
II.
5.
Mandrill
CHAPTER
Order
Sub-Order
Primates
I.
i.
II
BIMANA (MAN)
section
THIS
one family
MAN.
And God said, Let us make man in our own image, after
So God created man in His own
our own likeness.'
of
God created He him male and
in
the
image
image,
'
'
all
created beings
numerous animals
that do not attain
in strength he is
his proportions.
dwarfed by
no match for some
He is short-sighted
to the hare ; and
deaf
compared
compared
almost without the sense of smell compared to the wild
dog or the vulture, who perceives the faintest scent borne
to the eagle
to
and
I7
MAN
i8
and
of heaven entrance him
him to the contemplation of the Deity, of whose
wondrous scheme he is himself the corner-stone.
and the spangled canopy
lead
all
In addition to
the
all
gift of language,
desires
and
to
complex mind.
MAN'S SUPERIORITY
He
19
on
sustains himself
his hands.
The
The
distance.
of
own
its
can draw far more than it can carry. Upon rails one
animal has been known to draw a distance of several miles
a weight exceeding fifty tons, which would be absolutely
is
finger,
is
capable
of
independent
thumb
and
construction
affords
his
him
no
from
He
clothes himself
MAN
20
common
to
all
the
mammals.
What
applies
one
is
more or
definite
It
is
the
Vertebral
bone, which
easy movement.
frequently speak of the backmisleading in that it is a string of many
bones, thirty-three in a child and
Column.
is
We
twenty-six in an adult.
Each bone is a vertebra
the so-
ones
ribs.
and
A VERTEBRA.
S.C. Spinal cord.
solid,
of the
loins
the
them form one piece, called the sacrum, and the four
final bones form a kind of rudimentary tail, called the coccyx.
of
in the
21
special pur-
shorten
it.
The removal
the
of
smallest
column, however,
advance of which all the medical
powerless to check.
The bones
Muscles.
the
of
flesh.
The red
lean flesh
really
consists
of
is
skill
of
the
death,
the
in the
are
body
muscle.
bone
certain
entails
vertebral
world
is
clothed with
of red flesh
mass
or sliding about.
The
cavity of the skull is not only filled up with this substance, but it extends in a narrow, rod-like mass right down
the tunnel or canal formed by the hollow ring of each
vertebral bone.
If
telegraphic nature of the nerves is easy of illustration.
in the darkness one step upon some slippery substance, in
a flash the nerves communicate the presence of danger to
the brain
upon the
MAN
22
to recognise
its
imporSup-
tance.
pose
were
one
to
bind an arm
very tightly
near the
shoulder,
the result
would
speedily be
discernible.
Below
the
bandage the
would
flesh
grow
cold,
feeling
would
be
blunted,
DISSECTION OF LEFT SIDE OF HEART OF MAN,
SHOWING VALVES.
L.V. Left Ventricle;
p.a.
Pulmonary Artery
Artery;
ao. Aorta;
s.v.
s.v'.
become
heavy
and
of
its
blood, for
but because
heart
is
vessels
its
we have
might be
interfered with
pump, which
its
full
to bursting
circulation.
The
its
BLOOD-MAKING
as fine as a hair,
and
in
capillaries.
The blood
starch
much
of
substance,
and
is
easily
the
gastric
juice.
'
'
of
expelled
Teeth.
tion
MAN
24
digestion.
In its passage
quality as it is bright scarlet in colour.
the
it
with
its
body parts
through
life-giving qualities and
takes up the impurities given off by the worn-out tissues
and when it returns by way of the veins it is a dark purple
;
By means
fresh
of
the
of
two
and each
it
may be
pointed out
the
dead
that
of
body
rabbit
will
provide numerous
illustrations con-
RIGHT
bones,
cerning
muscle,
&c. The
incoming breath
joints,
nerves,
fills
changes
poisonous
its
car-
the
expelled
body
outgoing
the
breath.
And then
purified
from
in
the
blood
is
MAN
26
No
profitable
task
and ramified
Man
is
not restricted to
Thus
in
mountain and
may
valley, forest
take
and
up
his abode.
anywhere
between the burning regions of the Torrid zone, and the
ice-girt shores of the Polar seas, we find man modifying
his food according to the locality.
Upon the heated
plains of India he thrives upon rice, the plantain, and
on the frozen snows of Greenland he feasts
the palm
upon the raw flesh and blubber of the seal and between
these points there are innumerable grades and distinctions
in habits, manners, and fo,od, in civilisation and moral
desert,
qualities.
Notwithstanding
the
number
of
tribes
into
which
humanity
is
divided,
found
strange
RED INDIAN.
NEGRO.
The White
CAUCASIAN.
races, those of
27
MONGOLIAN.
MALAY.
Western Europe
in particular,
MAN
28
of
Thus
there are
two-thirds of
now
whom
"that
little
home
of the Briton.
is
the real
Africa and
narrow
skull,
lips,
and woolly
room
for
hair are
doubt con-
had
The Mongolian
Eastern Asia. The
New
World.
hair.
same
stock.
of the Polynesians
is
whom
LABOUR'S MAGIC
WAND
29
his
from
ment
afforded
And now
ground, in which to
rest his
the chase.
'
to give
the
stores
furnaces
blaze,
forges
From
life.
From
and
to
Liberty
is
glad;
'
Civilisation smiles
everywhere in the
hamlets nestling under lonely hills, arise the temples of
Religion, wherein is worshipped the Father of all.
But though man's labour has mitigated the curse, only
MAN
30
the blood of Christ can wipe out the stain. To-day only
about a quarter of the human race even professedly bow
whereon
in the very
beginning
God
placed him.
Chapter
ORDER
SUB-ORDER
I.
2.
III
PRIMATES
(continued)
QUADRUMANA, OR THE
MONKEY TRIBE
cus
Hanuman Monkey
Proboscis
Monkey
Spider Monkey
Monkeys
Howler Capuchin Monkey
Saki Hand-drinker
Dourocouli
Marmoset
Lion Tamarin Lemuroidea Ruffled Lemur
Ring-tailed Lemur Brown Mouse Lemur
Slender
Loris
Slow Loris
Galago
Tarsier Aye-Aye Dermoptera Colugo.
:
Platyrrhine
Coaita
Red
I.
GALAGO.
(See
(Photo W.
S.
page 73)
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
2.
YOUNG ORANG-OUTAN.
(.See
page 49)
PLATE
i.
PIG-TAILED MACAQUE.
(See page 54)
II.
2.
PATAS MONKEY.
(See
page 62)
(Photos W.
S.
CHAPTER
Order
Primates
I.
Sub-Order
III
(continued]
QUADRUMANA, OR THE
2.
MONKEY TRIBE
IT
to
of the
of the
its
If an examination of the
monkey tribt
great toe
hind foot sh >w that it is opposite to the other toes,
.
thus converting
it into a hand, it is
proof positive that the
animal is a monkey of some kind. With the exception of
a few species the fore limbs also possess an opposable
thumb. It is thi peculiarity that earns for the animals the
scientific name QUADRUMANA, i.e. four-handed.
Because the monkey of all living creatures is the most
like man it is placed in the front rank of the animal creation.
A glance at Coloured Plate I. shows that the resemblance is
more apparent than real the highest of the monkey tribe
are but the most grotesque caricatures of humanity.
But if we examine the monkey from an anatomical point
of view we find that it very closely resembles man in many
In a previous chapter we noted the
important particulars.
characteristics
of the human skeleton, with
distinguishing
which it is interesting to compare the frame of the gorilla
in a walking attitude.
Very often such comparison is
since
the
misleading,
ape is depicted in an upright
a
that
it
attitude,
position
adopts only with difficulty.
the
the
animal
tail,
Ignoring
possesses only a few more
bones than a man. The teeth, though usually the same in
t
33
34
number
as in
mankind, are
less regular.
There
is
a marked
the
the
human
being.
How
latter are to
with.
under
stand
35
hand.
of art.
The hind
extremities of the
monkey
that
highly trained
of
of those of the
in
36
human
prototype.
Even
if
it
possesses a true
hand
it
it
is
the
in
boats
ocean
and bartering par-
navigating
rots
for
in
exchange
Such
iron/
stories
nowadays
would not obtain
credence outside a
nursery.
It was an idea,
not always re-
stricted to savages,
that monkeys are
capable of speech,
but refrain from
its expression
should
they
compelled
Garner
be
to
Professor
labour.
FOOT AND HAND OF A MONKEY.
lest
in
recent
monkey sounds
into
troglodytes (literally
man
')
only a
37
lower than himself and capable of progressive improvement. Possibly this was an incipient notion of the theory
with which Charles Darwin, a famous naturalist, disturbed
the scientific world half a century ago.
In a noted book,
The Origin of Species, he attempted to explain how all
existing species may have descended from one or at least
Heated controversies were
very few low forms of life.
excited which have not yet been laid to rest, resulting in
little
considerable
changes
in
classification
in
zoology
and
biology.
Any discussion of the vexed question of evolution would
be out of place in the present work, but one or two
It is not claimed, as is
interesting points may be noted.
often popularly supposed, that man is descended from the
in
into play.
Young
children
show a
is first
feet rest
for
it,
is
not called
that
their
animal type.
man
like
in that
man
it
38
its
of the gibbons.
Monkeys are
too
numerous
in
species
In the
for
anything
accompanying
and
unfailingly displayed.
SECTION LANTHROPOIDEA.
In this section are
all
man
nails.
Group I., the CATARRHINI, are all the apes and monkeys
Old World. The group possesses certain charac-
of the
teristics that
cannot
be mistaken. In
a few cases the
thumb
limbs
it
fore
absent, but
whenever
sent
the
of
is
it
is
pre-
is
opposable;
the nostrils are
placed close to each
other,
if
and the
tail,
one,
is
never prehen-
sile.
FAMILY
The
family
Simiidae(Latin,s/w/a,
'
an
from Greek
ape,'
l
A CATARRHIXE MONKEY.
apes,
GORILLA
(Gorilla savagei).
Coloured Plate
I.
Fig. 3.
40
was
animal
explorer,
Upon his
named
Hanno, a Carthaginian
West Africa about 350 B.C.
return home he brought with him three stuffed
who
so
by
visited tropical
and a
full
grown
Gorilla
power
is
a formidable creature.
show the
in the limbs
capabilities of special
and jaws.
The shoulders
glance
muscular
are extra-
turned in but
little,
and
is
on the
THE GORILLA
ground than
is
quadrumanous
animals.
skin is an intense black and covered for the most
with
short, coarse, dark grey hair, which is whitish at
part
The
the tips.
the chin.
the face
is
ears are
The mouth
final
touch of ferocity.
from the
The canine
and
at night.
and
The
Gorilla
is
home.
a fairly strict vegetarian, restricting itself
it
in order to obtain
Though some
proof that
it
it.
The
wounded
its
flighf
or hampered in
it
instantly
shows
Balancing itself by
swinging its arms, the
voice
changes
barking
fight.
It
gigantic arms
uses
as
weapons
offence, and
one blow of the huge paw
of
will
its
powerful
THE GORILLA
43
the
jaws,
of
the
for supply to
afford actual
cheap
a difficult matter to
being killed by this gigantic ape ; but
the fact that with its powerful hands and teeth it is a
natives.
evidence of
match
It
is
men
open combat
is
quite sufficient
proof of
of
it
its
carrying
and
that
from the
kill
him
the
same rude
burial.
Even
tion.
He
is
particularly fond
of sugar-canes,
and occasionally
He
attempts
lived
in
44
CHIMPANZEE
(Anthropopithecus troglodytes).
Coloured Plate
This animal has been
known
I.
to
Fig. 4.
Europeans
for
hundreds
keep as tame
pets.
to
London
as early
average
there
is
little
the hind
articulation of
able to place more of the foot
upon the ground than the gorilla. The ringers, like our
own, are free as far as the knuckles.
The skin of the Chimpanzee, a light muddy flesh colour,
developed.
Owing
to
less
is
The head
rounder
is
marked
are less
lips are
more mobile
There
still
a hairdresser.
On
the upper
arm
down-
THE CHIMPANZEE
45
ward
elbows.
its home is in the forest the Chimpanzee is
a
largely
groundling. It travels in strong bodies, chiefly in
search of the soft fruits which form the main portion of
Though
its
food, though
it
varies
its
diet with
size.)
suffer
them
Any
marauding
raids.
It
is
difficult to
catch
46
at
the
there
Captain Casati, the Italian traveller, relates many interesting facts concerning the Chimpanzee in the little known
The
forests of the Aruwimi and Albert Nyanza regions.
most expert hunters experience difficulty in capturing the
cautious animal. The Western Sandehs spread nets, and
under cover of darkness disturb the apes with loud cries
and the barking of dogs. The animals at once make a
precipitate retreat, only to fall into the nets, in which their
limbs become entangled.
The hunters even then only
effect their purpose after the most strenuous and dangerous
take the
dawn
the
The drunkards
During the night a drum was taken from under the nose of
a sentry, and the theft was assumed to be the work of a
daring native. During the next day, upon the top of a tall
tree an old Chimpanzee was discovered vigorously beating
the drum with a stick, in imitation of the action which
doubtless he had witnessed the day before. An attempt
was made
ape avoided
THE CHIMPANZEE
47
all
human
in
appearance and
savage.
endures our climate better than the other Anthropoid apes, the Chimpanzee in captivity has given us fair
opportunities of observing some of its characteristic
habits.
Tommy was a fine and nearly full-grown animal
who met his death in the great fire at the Crystal Palace in
was most
1866.
'Jane,' an inmate of Sanger's Menagerie,
that
her
declared
the
and
with
spectators,
keeper
popular
she could do everything but talk. Greediness is usually a
marked feature of the monkey tribe, but Jane would return
a biscuit or a piece of cake if she were not hungry. A new
set of teeth caused her much inconvenience and pain, and
one tooth had to be removed to afford relief. The dental
operation was performed with a piece of stick, and afterwards, whenever troubled with toothache, Jane would select
a stout straw, break it off to the required length, and then
present it to her keeper that he might again act as surgeon
As
it
'
'
dentist.
She eventually succumbed to the north-east winds
and defective teething, the latter of which is always the
Chimpanzee
trainer.
The
cleverest ape
of using
48
caged lion
would
its
of
its
ORANG-OUTAN
(Simla satyrus).
Coloured Plate
I.
Fig.
2.
the lesser
called
of four feet
is
far
its
height
chimpanzee.
either
and thus
the
in
walking
gorilla
or the
THE ORANG-OUTAN
If
it
the Mias
places
its
is compelled to traverse an
knuckles upon the ground
49
unwooded
tract,
just
rarely attempts to walk on its hind legs alone, unless there
are branches overhead to which it can cling for support.
Among the trees the animal is just as nimble as it is awkIt
It
tree-
It
and weight.
size
owing
to
It
the construction
little
necessity to
come down
to the ground.
who
reliable
to
50
tion for
moment took no
her dying energies to
onwards over the tops of
the trees and from one branch to another, taking the most
gushing from her mouth, she from that
all
young one
ground.
The
reeled,
moment
THE GIBBONS
51
THE GIBBONS.
The
generic
name
'
'
it
Tree-traveller/
are to deal with
signifies
we
monkey
that
race.
They
is of Greek derivation
and thus prepares us to expect
Hylobates
'
very
active
members
of
the
species of
They
more
flatly
creatures
restricted
from
flying.
Owing
to the construction of
the feet
The
Agile
Gibbon
them
flings itself
of
it
name
variety of
of
Ungka
is
Gibbon.
properly belongs to
the Siamang, which possesses a
feature that is absent in its near
It
'
'
relations.
Syndactylus
signifies
hair,
which
is
practically jet
black.
An
domesticated.
on board a
England
adult
Siamang
ship bound
greatly interested
passengers.
He was found
for
the
to
and wine
fowls.
Spirits
he refused, but tea and coffee
he accepted with avidity.
He
to
be
still
of
fonder
appeared
and
he
drained
ink,
constantly
the inkstands and never omitted
to suck a pen-nib that
came
within his reach.
His temper
was not easily roused, and his
SKELETON OF THE SIAMANG.
nature
affectionate
was
confor
in
in
fondness
which
he
evinced
his
play,
stantly
ally
acknowledge the
Siamang
as
may
who
refused
to
TAILED MONKEYS
53
from
FAMILY CERCOPITHECID^.
All the remaining apes and monkeys of the Old World are
included in the family Cercopithecidce, i.e., Tailed Monkeys,
which is divided into two sub-families the Cercopithecinae
similar in construction
monkeys, but the following present special points of inteof one of the most
rest, and are fairly representative
world.
sections
of
the
animal
popular
Most of the monkeys that are exhibited in this country
belong to the great genus Cercopithecus, and many of them
such slight particulars, often only in the shade of
the hair, as to be indistinguishable except to a practised
diifer in
eye.
54
will
GREEN MONKEY
(Cercopithecus sabceus).
Coloured Plate
III.
Fig.
2.
the face
PIG-TAILED
MACAQUE
Plate
The Macaques
II.
(Macacus nemestrinus).
i.
Fig.
known
animals, various
ness to domestication.
are often seen in our
own
Pig-tailed
Macaque
is
trained
by the natives
of the
Far East not only to climb cocoanut trees, but also to select
with great care the ripest fruit and throw it to the ground
below, where it is collected and stored by the animal's
The animal receives its name from the
trainer and owner.
fact that its tail is short and slender and bears more than
a little resemblance to that of a pig.
Plate
5.
Ruffled
Lemur
m.
6.
Hanuman Monkey
THE MACAQUES
BARBARY APE
55
(Macacus inuus).
Coloured Plate
II.
Fig.
2.
particularly
the
monkey
example of
where it is
of Spain
On the
to crops in Algeria and Morocco.
often plays havoc in the gardens, and it would not
much damage
Rock
it
and
insects.
56
which
it
rid of
its
its
sentry,
to rob us of
WANDEROO
(Macacus
silenus).
2.
A remarkable species is the Wanderoo, which the Ceylonese call Nil Bhunder, i.e., Black Monkey, on account of
the colour of its long fur. On the top of its head the hair
is particularly long, falling on either side of its face like
the full-dress wig of a judge.
It also possesses a long grey
beard, so that it has quite a venerable aspect. Unlike the
much
it
YELLOW BABOON
(Cynocephalus babuin).
Coloured Plate
II.
Fig. 3.
THE BABOON
57
and
increased by the animal seldom walking, or even standTheir front and hind legs
ing, other than on all fours.
from
those of the Simiidae,
being differently proportioned
is
they can run swiftly along the ground, and yet can climb
rocks and trees with an agility equal to that of almost
considerable length
an erect
Some
beast.
any quadrumanous
;
some it
The hair
in
tuft of hair.
is
is
callosities
set,
deeply
that gives
their stings.
The Chacma
of
or Pig-faced
it
Baboon (Cynocephalus
runs short of
its
porcarius)
ordinary food,
58
will
much
would
obtain food supplies. Led by an old male, the whole
Baboon settlement moves at once, with the females and
the young ones in the middle, and the vanguard, rearguard,
and flankers under strict discipline. Scouts are thrown out
to prevent the party being surprised, and when the scene
of operations is reached, sentries are duly posted to keep
a sharp look-out on every side. The marauders eat their
fill and then retire with as much plunder as they can carry ;
and even if they are disturbed there is no disorder in their
The sentinels take no part in the actual foray, from
retreat.
which
it
is
who sometimes
a dog
is
make due
terrorise over a
no match
for
Baboon, who
seize
will
its
In captivity the
and revengeful.
Baboon
is
it
will retreat
and
cast stones
keeper
is
THE MANDRILL
and Baboon mummies show
but
that
its
59
Baboon
The
is
MANDEILL
(Cynocephalus mormon).
Coloured Plate
II.
Fig. 5.
and
ferocious,
its
strength tremendous.
and
most powerful
of
It is
Its
6o
general colour is light olive-brown, silvery grey underneath, and the hair on the head not infrequently stands
almost on end to form a pointed tuft. The face is as
Even
like
if
taken young
most animals,
it
it is not
easily domesticated, though,
can be rendered comparatively docile
THE MANGABEYS
61
further fear.
the
moment
its
advantage.
goddess Diana.
chestnut brown, the chest white, while the rest of the body
of a golden hue with a reddish tinge.
The White-nosed Monkey (Cercopithecus petauristd) has
is
and a fringe
which quite distinguishes it from any
Another species.
a white nose
its
face,
other
small
known
as
group
Mangabeys
are
Fig.
often
i.
called
the
62
Mangabeys are
full
of
pranks, and at
making
faces they
II.
The
(Cercopithecus patas).
Fig.
tail
2.
common
It is
to
West
Africa,
It
is
their
journey
in peace.
upon
little
SACRED MONKEYS
63
HANUMAN MONKEY
(Semnopithecus entellus).
Coloured Plate
It
III. Fig. 6.
God was
The beautiful
villages where Vishnu is worshipped.
the
of
the
holiest
idol shrines
and
even
carvings
temples
and
No
by several monkeys
of
the priests
and
pilgrims.
fanatical
mob
gathered,
64
drowned.
In build the
Hanuman
is
two
sprinkle
its
coat,
darkening
it
MONKEY
PROBOSCIS
in colour.
(Nasalis larvatus).
it is
The animal
more with ease
white.
or
is
as
an
it
companies.
We now
come
to
Group
II.,
the
those of
nostrils
is
callosities.
it
Old
A PLATYRRHINE MONKEY,
account of
some
World,
which
described at such
render unnecessary
have
length
been
as
to
any detailed
the American animals, except where they possess
PLATE
i.
MANGABEY.
(See
page 61)
III.
WANDEROO.
(See
page 56)
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE IV.
i.
SPIDER MONKEY.
2.
COMMON MARMOSET.
(See
page
69)
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
65
SPIDER MONKEYS.
bodies
is
hook out
it
tail
is
of a bird contract
when
It is
next
to
when
shot
death
in
the letter S.
witness.
'
The
He was
air
was
full of
strange sounds,
made by
birds
and
66
insects,
when
which kept
fell
me awake
asleep in
my
chair
dawn,
blow on my face,
I saw
hanging from a tree, and swinging into the gloom,
something that looked like a huge black rope. The end of
it had struck me.
In a moment back it came, swinging this
time behind the vessel.
The rope gave forth a chattering noise it was alive.
A moment more, and it was clear to me that here was a
felt
a rough
'
of
company
monkeys
The
stream.
bridge-makers
'
my
closest attention.
tall
palmthere
and three or
four monkeys deep, holding on to each
was a
other as
if
long,
monkey
race
swung out
a branch of a tree
cheers.
all
ages.
some on
They ran
all
some
backs, and
fours,
keys on their
upright,
all
jabbering.
'
The
last
one
to cross
of the
67
'No sooner had the bridge cleared the water than the
monkeys loosened their grip of one another. In less time
than
and
takes to
it
tell
CO AIT A (A teles
One
paniscus).
Coaita.
the
Amazon, they
natives.
on account
those of a child.
Spider
Monkey
It
is
BED HOWLER
(Mycetes seniculus).
Coloured Plate
i.
II.
Fig.
i.
Monkey
is
the Howler,
to a degree.
They inhabit the north-eastern parts of South
America, and are the largest monkeys in the New World.
In nature and disposition they are allied to the baboons.
The Red Howler is clothed with red hair, lightening into
68
yellow
its
face
is
male
is
woods with
the
great agility.
practise their
'
CAPUCHIN MONKEY
Coloured Plate
(Cebus capucinus).
III.
Fig. 3.
friend of a cat, and will often seat itself upon the back of a
pig and bestride its unwilling steed even when it is feeding
THE MARMOSET
69
savannahs a long distance from home. Italian organgrinders prefer this monkey almost to any other. Usually it
is quite harmless, but its temper is unreliable.
Sometimes,
without provocation, it will spring upon a bystander and
inflict a nasty bite before the victim is aware of the animal's
in the
purpose.
an end.
MABMOSET
(Hdfale Jacchus).
One
of the
termed pretty
2.
is
larger animal.
The colour
of the coat
is
a peculiarly rich
brown, which appears quite ruddy when the hairs are blown
aside.
The tail, which is not prehensile, is light grey, ringed
with black, and there is a prominent tuft of white hair on
either side of the head, standing out before the ears.
The
THE LEMURS
70
voice
is
will
flies
that the
rosalia).
gives the
SECTION ILLEMUROIDEA.
We now
pass from the Monkeys, by a very natural transiextreme end of the quadru-
the
digits.
The
71
The
some characteristics
quadrupeds and when they
wound, from the length and cutting edge of the
in absolute silence.
teeth possess
the
canine teeth,
Lemurs
is
very serious.
in the Zoological
in their cages.
various fruits
up or
sitting
on
their
haunches.
Though
the Ruffled
it is
Lemur
is fairly
varius}.
III. Fig. 5.
and handsome
of
its
race,
found
in
Madagascar.
collaris),
and
LEMUR-LIKE ANIMALS
72
keep
owner
of
it
is
impossible to dis-
characteristics.
(Chirogaleus milii).
Plate V. Fig.
2.
fur
THE LEMUROIDS
SLENDEE LORIS
73
(Loris gracilis).
Coloured Plate
III. Fig. 4.
a terrible
to fruit
and
enemy
to birds,
insects.
Its
there
is
perch.
habits.
common one
it
Bashful Billy.
squirrels;
among
trees,
their
they
the
perch
foliage
of
i),
with
its
difficult for
snap them up
mouth
that
it
LEMUR-LIKE ANIMALS
74
nails.
III.
i.
Fig.
home.
native
its
celebrated
discovered
When
traveller,
the
it,
When
unknown
its
who
evidently
exclamation as the
adopted the
practically
of
1780
Sonnerat,
natives
unaware
in
name
of
this
Aye
once
hitherto
creature.
movement
of this wiry
of the others
thumb remain
it
closed.
Its
purpose
is
PLATE V.
i.
COLUGO.
2.
75
timber the grubs and insects which the incisor teeth have
The animal
disclosed.
is
about a yard in
the
including
length,
In colour it is
tail.
nearly black, with the
The brownish
to
very sensitive
builds
It
nest
of
light.
globular
leaves
dry
at
the
animal
with
who
the Aye-aye's
life
and
COLUGO
reliable particulars
or
concerning
habits.
(Galeopithecus volans).
Plate V. Fig.
The Colugo
HAND OF AYE-AYE.
FOOT OF AYE-AYE.
Flying
i.
member
of
the
Quadrumana,
is
also
a matter of dis-
pute
among
Lemur, the
last
some
place
of
zoologists,
whom
it
Insectivora,
others
insist
f
f
forming
separate
would
the
among
an
while
upon
it
entirely
order, the
or skin-
Dermoptera,
winged animals.
HIND FOOT OF THE COLUGO.
(Four-fifths natural size.)
T^
only
IS
? and
one family
SKIN-WINGED ANIMALS
76
In
is
The
ing order.
is not at
all
flying
unlike
membrane
that
which
the Bats.
its
powers of
flight,
which
it
In
starts.
about
one
foot
in
its
progress
descent is
but it
five,
of
possesses the
power of directing
flight
any given object.
BONES OF HIND FOOT OF
Mr. Wallace says that he saw a
THE COLUGO.
Colugo run up a tree to a height
from
which
it took a leap of
of forty feet,
seventy yards
its
to
itself
Chapter IV
ORDER
II.
CHIROPTERA (BATS)
General description of the Chiroptera Longeared Bat Pipistrelle Bat Barbastelle Bat
Whiskered Bat
coloured Bat
Bat
Horseshoe Bats
Fruit Bats
Bat guano.
Kalong
MouseVampire
CHAPTER
Order
title
II.
is
of
Chiroptera (Bats)
which we are about to deal
two Greek words, the former meaning
a wing and the Chiroptera are there-
THEcomposed
fore
IV
'
hand-winged
The
animals.
'
'
Leather-flapper.'
in appear-
ance.
Expressed in simple language, a Bat is a mammal provided with true wings, with which it is able not merely to
propel itself through the air for a longer or a shorter
distance, but to fly like a bird by beating the air with its
anterior
very
much
in the
manner
of a parachute, in
an extended
of
their
insect-prey wheel
circle
about
BATS
8o
human
difficulty.
The accompanying
of its structure.
description of the chief points
Most of the Bats possess a full complement of teeth, the
four canines being large and sharp ; the incisors vary in
to each other.
number, and still more in their proximity
human hand
the
with
the bones of a Bat's wing
Comparing
and arm, we
body.
FLYING MAMMALS
81
still
legs,
and
in
some
and hands,
make
There
its
it
tail,
It
is
by means of
is
this
able
are
all
but it can
first one side of the body and then the other
run with considerable celerity. It is a common but quite
erroneous notion that Bats cannot easily rise from the
ground, but must throw themselves into the air from an
elevation.
Most species can swim if necessity compel them,
but they have no liking for water.
Another common error is expressed in the simile as
;
'
BATS
82
large,
complex
in
appearance.
membranes
are
little
less
and
well
known
baffling
movements
in the dark
83
Nocturnal in habit, they seldom emerge from their hidingplaces until at least twilight, although the rule is not without
exception. On the approach of cold weather the creatures
hibernate in
winters.
and
all
LONG-EARED BAT
are insectivorous.
(Plecdtus auritus).
3.
The Long-eared
owing
BATS
84
four ears, two large and two small, and when the Bat is
asleep and the ears are folded, only the tragus is visible,
giving the Bat an altogether different appearance to that
Channel
debars
it
good the
necessarily entails.
British Bats in particular are useful as one of Nature's
checks, reducing the numbers of the insect world in the air
Their odour is
just as the Insectivora do upon the earth.
always more or
utility for
food.
creatures, but a
less disagreeable,
Stoats
dog
will
85
Vesperugo pipistrellus).
2.
The
Isles,
texture
Its
and
The
2,
eastern counties.
is
less
known
mouse.
It differs
whiskers on
tribe in the possession of tufts of black bristles
The
face.
black
its
Whiskered
of
Bat
the cheeks
(Vespertilio
mystacinus), met with in Hampshire and adjacent counties,
has its face thickly overgrown with fur. Reference has
been made to the membraneous expansion of the nose in
some
species.
MOUSE-COLOURED BAT
(Vespertilio murinus}.
is
two inches in length,
the largest Bat in Central
a short-eared species, which are far more
The Mouse-Coloured
exclusive
of
Europe.
It
the
is
4.
tail,
Bat
and
is
BATS
86
The
particular species
respect of hibernation
than
its
The Kalong
Its
and notwithstanding
from
tip to tip
Bats
five feet
Fruit
blackbeetles,
lizards and small birds
eat
apples,
mice,
pears,
bits of
it
adds
is
some
compensation to the planters in the fact that these frugivorous Bats are themselves tolerably good to eat.
Unlike most other species, the Fruit Bats are not incommoded by light instead of seeking dark recesses they
suspend themselves from the tops of tall trees. When
;
sleeping they
hang by one
foot,
PLATE VI.
i.
KALOXG.
2.
PLATE
VII.
2.
4.
GREATER HORSESHOE
KALONG (Natural size).
BAT.
The goose
upon some
the
sleeps
87
upon one
leg lest
ice.
it
VAMPIRE BAT
(Phyllostoma spectrum).
i.
their filth
gave
certain that there are closely allied genera that are in the habit
of sucking blood from the bodies of the larger mammals,
is
asleep.
The Vampire's
leech.
In
traveller,
some regions
i)
it is
dangerous to sleep uncovered.
from
speaking
experience, says the animal will
BATS
88
Plate IV.
8.
Elephant Shrew
9.
Hedgehog
Chapter
General
description
of
the
Insectivora
CHAPTER V
Order
HI.
Insectivora
(Insect-Eaters)
THE
name
coverings of
some
of the insects
feed.
Some members
from
and in another
omnivorous.
The
worms
for
each, and
ground.
climbers.
They are usually terrestrial, a few only are treeMost of them are nocturnal and largely lead a
subterranean
enter into a
life
more or
The
represented in our
own
country.
FAMILY ERINACEID^E
HEDGEHOG- (Erinaceus
europ&us).
The Hedgehog
temperate parts
91
INSECT-EATERS
92
Syria.
In our
own
is
it
country
called the
appearance it is
with prickly spines instead of hair.
set
in
The Hedgehog
is
creature
is
grubbing. The
face
covered
is
with strong,
coarse hair, out
which peer
of
clear
bright,
SKELETON OF THE HEDGEHOG.
bluish
eyes
g reV>
of
very
full
com-
No
part of the
anatomy
of the
Hedgehog
is
more
interest-
of the
The Hedgehog
is
It
preys on
THE HEDGEHOG
93
reptiles,
when
it
Though fond
quite
common
warm
of eggs
and
milk, there
Hedgehog
is
no truth
in the
itself
to the
helps
from the
fluid direct
Equally fanciful
is
make
will
its
short
forefeet, the
The manner
interesting as
reptile,
it
seizes
in
it
it
is
a dog, for
;
example, will think twice before testing the quality of the
spines after it has had one painful experience. The stoat
and the fox overcome it ; the latter, it is said, rolls the
prickly ball into water, which causes the Hedgehog to relax
its muscles to escape from
drowning and that action is the
opportunity for which the artful fox is in readiness.
;
It is
woven into
The young ones,
leaves
and
little
INSECT-EATERS
94
No
mammal
the winter
interrupted slumber.
its
resuming
The animal
to
and
prickles
come away
FAMILY TALPID^.
MOLE
(Talpa europceus).
all
Talpidae,
which
is
5.
It
underground.
is
all
tail,
THE MOLE
95
animal not only to dig, but to throw the soil behind it,
which it does with incredible speed. When it commences
to burrow, the Mole seems literally to sink into the ground.
The hinder limbs do not possess the strength of the forefeet, and are used only for progression.
In the Mole it is the canine teeth that are most promiIt is a
nent, instead of the incisors, as in the hedgehog.
no
belief
that
it
Examination
possesses
eyes.
very popular
shows that this is a mistake ; but the eyes are exceedingly
small,
from
Though
it
fur,
particles of earth as
it
is
its
particularly acute,
and
its
taste
and
usually black
sometimes the fur is
Though
tances.
supported by partitions or
In this are
two
INSECT-EATERS
96
lower one.
sometimes
in
SECTIONS).
No
Its
removing
its
it
is voracious
an elephant in proportion to its size. In all its waking
moments it is digging and delving and scurrying after
Its
like
appetite
THE MOLE
97
it
The Mole
is
who view
marked
its
disfavour.
INSECT-EATERS
98
that the
Mole
is
as
underground as is
shine and pouring out its joy in exulting song.
There is a demand for the fur of the Mole, which
is
the
FAMILY SORICID^E.
SHREW
The Shrews, of which
country, are commonly
(Sorex vulgaris).
our
but though
Shrew-mice
appearance they resemble mice, their teeth indubitably prove them to belong to the Insectivora.
The common Shrew is usually about two inches and
three-quarters in length, of which quite half is accounted
The attenuated snout is the chief feature
for- by the tail.
The body and the tail are covered with fine
of the head.
velvety fur, reddish mouse-colour above and grey beneath.
in general
The
creature
is
common
It
abounds
and gardens. Grubbing with its long snout for worms and
insects, it makes long runs just under the surface of the
Insects are preferred to anything else, but the little
creature will attack lizards and frogs and even very small
In spring there are fierce fights among the males for
birds.
ground.
mates.
The
nest of leaves
in a bank, in which
in July or August.
from
five to eight
99
'
tree
WATER SHREW
(Sorex fodiens).
common
7.
species, the
Water Shrew
is chiefly blackish-brown in colour ; the feet and undersurface of the tail are fringed with long white hairs. It
burrows into the banks of streams and is very aquatic in its
It possesses valved ears, which automatically close
habits.
interesting to
water, at the
bottom
time.
'
says Mr. Bell, is principally effected by
the alternate action of its hinder feet, which produces an
'Its
swimming/
of a quiet
brook or diving,
INSECT-EATERS
ioo
com-
FAMILY MACROSCELIDID^.
ELEPHANT SHREW
(Macroscelides typicus}.
is
name means
curious
8.
mouse-like
little
'
There
are
species of
are
often
called.
Shrews, as they
several
the
Jumping
Nearly all of
in
South
where
exist
them
Africa,
they burrow
in the ground, flying to their retreats the instant
SOLE OF
OF
are disturbed.
UP a
in g
size.)
grows
their homes.
in
They
FAMILY CENTETID^E.
TANBEC
(Centetes ecaudatus).
The animals
for their coat
Tanrec
is
is
flexible spines,
it
semblances
has no
it
mixed with
hedgehog,
bristles
length
Fig. 6.
is
tail.
known
and
The
It is fifteen
is,
of
all
re-
living
THE TANA
mammals, the most nearly
Australia and America.
The animal
is
related
very prolific
101
to
the
Marsupials of
in a hole
it
an animal that
Insects
and worms are the staple items in its diet, to which it adds
roots and fruits.
The Tendrac (Ericulus spinosus), another member of the
family, is often confounded with the last-named animal,
whereas
it
is
much
hedgehog, which
it
common
FAMILY TUPAIID^E.
TANA
(Tupaia tana).
5.
INSECT-EATERS
102
its
sprightliness
and
activity.
The whole
the family
of
and insects.
the Bornean Tree
fruits
is
Shrew.
ellioti),
which
is
abundant
Shrew
referred to earlier
FAMILY POTAMOGALID^E.
POTAMOGALE
The Potamogale,
or
(Potamogale
velox).
is
supposed
length from the tip of its broad and bristled muzzle to the
root of its tail, which is long and very compressed, except
where it almost imperceptibly joins the body. The lithe,
otter-like form, valved nostrils,
and the
Chapter VI
ORDER
IV.
CARNIVORA
(FLESH-
EATERS)
SUB-ORDER
I.
Cheetah
Viverridae
Hysenas
:
Civet
Genet
Suricate
Parodoxure
Binturong
Eskimo
Canidae
Domestic
Dog
Dog
Family
Pariah Dog Red Dog of the Deccan Cape
:
Hunting Dog
Dingo
Common Fox
Weasel Stoat
Fennec Family Mustelidae
Marten
Ferret Mink
or Ermine Polecat
Zorilla
Glutton
Sable
Cape
Badger
Skunk Teledu Common Otter Sea Otter
Coaiti
Raccoon
Family Procyonidae
Panda Family UrCacomistle
Kinkajou
Brown Bear Grizzly Bear Syrian
sidae
Bear Polar Bear Black Bear Malayan Bear
Spectacled Bear Sloth Bear.
:
CHAPTER
Order IV.
VI
Carnivora
(Flesh-Eaters)
many well-known species of animals
feed mainly, and in many cases exclusively, on
The order is divided into two sub-orders
INwhich
flesh.
1.
split-footed animals,
the land.
2.
or
of
fin
or
Sub-Order
I.
The Carnivora
of
which some species or other are found all over the world
from the equator to the poles. Though the majority of
them
are flesh-eaters,
many
of
them
vegetarians, just
eaters.
The members
of their build
and
105
io6
teeth
flesh.
There are
teeth
is
terrible,
when once
it is
transfixed
skewers.
The
LION'S
with four or
CLAW
five digits,
terminating in
size.)
noise.
The
bear,
on the
other hand, plants the sole of its foot flat upon the ground,
with the consequence that there is less speed and springiness
in its gait.
Animals which walk like the lion are called
Digitigrades (Lat., digitus, a finger), and those with the gait
of the bear are called Plantigrades (Lat., planta, the sole of
the foot
gmdus, a
The Carnivora
step).
at first glance
man, and only for the sake of their skins when dead.
There is, however, no waste in nature, and but for these
agile, strong, and cunning destroyers, some of even the
to
107
delicate
remarkably
with their special construction to overcome the animals
live.
The
Cat, Dog, and the Bear are the most typical of the
beasts of prey, and give their names to the three sections
In this
into which the land Carnivores may be divided.
we have
connection
section
FAMILY FELID^E
(CATS).
down
are flesh-eaters
io8
while the fore feet appear to have only four toes. But
a short examination of a Cat's foot will detect a sharp and
curved claw about half way between the toes and the elbow.
This i dew-claw/ as it is popularly called, is in reality the
five,
on each foot.
Cats, on account of their mode of life, must be
of foot and capable of leaping great distances in
five toes
The
swift
beyond the
radius.
the
bones,
indications
animal,
The
itself
through the air, and simultaneously strikes with its forepaws. If, therefore, the fore limbs were connected with
the skeleton by a couple of strong collar-bones, those
bones would be broken by the shock, as so often
happens to ourselves, and the animal would be disabled.
But, by their practical absence, the fore limbs are only
indirectly connected with the skeleton, and so the required
elasticity is obtained.
and
elastic
pad,
tread,
although
tip of
109
blunted.
This
animal
in
the
latter
object, however,
mechanism
accompanying
obtained by a
is
illustration
piece of
which
shown.
very clearly
seen two tendons, one
at
simple,
is
is
the
but
THE MECHANISM OF A
when
Cat
the
tribe
stretches
lion
or any other
(Twice natural
of
the
size.)
out
its
paw
to
strike
an
its
enemy
prey, the claw is
sheath between the pads and is ready for action. This
structure of the claws is termed retractile.'
A few more details of structure must be mentioned.
Both the dog and the Cat are fond of licking the hands
or
its
'
whom they love, and we all know by experience that the tongue of the dog is wet and smooth,
while that of the Cat is dry and rough.
The reason is
that the tongue of the Cat has to perform an office
which is not needed by the dog. The jaws and
digestive organs of the latter are so constructed that the
animal can break bones, if they be not very large,
of those
no
In fact, a dog
swallow the pieces, and digest them.
in
occasional
it
bones
to
keep
requires
good health but
the Cat can neither crack bones nor digest them. Yet,
when a Cat has torn the flesh from the bones there is
still much meat adhering to them which cannot be removed
;
by the
tion.
teeth.
Its
Now
upper
The
LION
(Felts led).
3.
The Lion
of
its
dull
tawny
is
shorter
and
closer
THE LION
The mane
of the
'
male gives
in
'
appearance, but in
luxuriant adornment that is quite commonly
the
possess
seen in menagerie-bred animals. On the other hand, the
imposing
free
animal
and
it is
Though
in different regions
ably in size
it
may
is
differ
very consider-
really only
one species
size.)
Lion,
that
made
relentless
larger Carnivores,
one cavalry
ii2
now
scarce in the South, owing to the spread of civiliand the diminution and retreat of the vast herds of
Nevertheless, within the last ten years a Lion
antelopes.
has been killed not more than twelve miles from Johannesis
sation
burg.
In 1890,
the pioneers
'One
When
the
Uganda
afterwards.'
THE LION
113
Gordon Gumming
'One day, while out elephant-hunting, accompanied by
two hundred and fifty men, I was astonished suddenly to
behold a majestic Lion, slowly and steadily advancing
towards us. Lashing his tail from side to side and growling angrily, he displayed a show of ivory that caused the
two hundred and fifty Bechuanas to take headlong flight.
In the confusion of the moment, eight of my dogs were
:
When
'
and
is
very terrible.
It
yards
if
off, in
The
noise
is
hard to
it is
sionally
killing
human
night.
size.)
range
after
'
THE LION
115
prime of
more
inaccessible regions.
moment.
Again, we ought
animals possess equal capacity for
Even in human beings there is a great
suffering pain.
in
this
diversity
respect, and the lower the nervous
ment
of
until
life
the last
all
is
all
n6
animals as
treat all
and
we would
like to
be treated ourselves,
shown
us,
Grunting horribly,
does a rat.
The shock produced a stupor similar to that which seems
to be felt by a mouse after the first shake of the cat.
It caused a sort of dreaminess, in which there was no
my
terrier
was quite
I
was happening. The shake anniand allowed no sense of horror at looking
conscious of
hilated
fear,
round
at
produced
all
the
that
beast.
This
in all animals
killed
all
'
It
if
a cataract of claws,' as
is a remarkable trait
'
went down
pit
in
time of snow/
deed, to
handed.
Plate V.
;%
'
f\\
3.
Lion
^>
THE TIGER
means
117
mentioned in
were
driven
into the pits
Spikes
animal.
were used
Nets
which
to
the
impale
upon
falling
in another method
and both pits and nets are still used by
Pitfalls, as
The Lion
lingered in
of the Crusades
it
is
still
found
until
in
to
royalty.
The
TIGER
(Felts tigris).
2.
and
is
at
is
to
least
whose huge
is
to
Africa.
In size
it
the
it
n8
is
J.
Mr.
quite woolly, to enable it to endure the cold.
D. Cobbold shot one in Central Asia in a frozen
reliable
of
India,
largest known
a half feet.
the
eleven and
The markings
is
skin
limited
of
to the scourge
which
measured
of
yellow ground
on the
tail.
The
conflicts
among
is
practically impossible
them.
The countenance
of the Tiger
thirsty characteristics.
lips disclosing
is
make up a whole that thrills one uncomforteven when it is viewed through the bars of a cage.
glaring eyes
ably,
To meet
the Tiger in
its
matchless strength in
its
native
Even an
'
Speaking
THE TIGER
is
119
harm even
after death.
No
often,
where
tit-bit.
it
When
than three
The
and a
half feet,
and
its
weight
is
about 450
Ibs.
An
hunter
is
often at fault.
on the Tiger's
The
dark stripes
120
and unbridled
ferocity.
if
The
latter is
its first
its retreat,
extremely pertinacious,
attack
is
unsuccessful, it will
its victim with
writes
Though
still
in the creature's
mouth,
it
claws
all
few minutes
to
But
it
was
better to
take
the
its
THE TIGER
121
but perceiving the party of men, the Tiger dropped the dead
beast and made its escape.
The buffalo was probably
nearly a thousand pounds in weight, or more than twice
that of the Tiger.
It is not only in the
is
to be feared
it
and peered at him with his glowing eyes through the gauze
mosquito curtains that surrounded the bed he was so close
that his fetid breath was in the man's face. The brute
probably viewed the netted bed as a trap and its occupant
as the bait,' and the man held his breath in the hope that
the creature's caution would master his desire for a meal.
But the pressure of the tiger's head caused a cord to snap,
and down came the curtains. The spell was broken
In
;
'
and crawled under it. The next moment the Tiger was
and the sheets to shreds, only to find his
prey had disappeared.
Speedily the animal located the man and made a wild
dash to reach him but the bed was too low to permit the
huge head to pass under it. By repeated efforts the cruel
head with its fiery eyeballs was forced under the beam,
whose sharp edge peeled the skin off the animal's forehead,
which by no means improved his temper but he could
make no further progress, and there man and beast lay
separated by only a few feet the one paralysed with terror,
and the other working his horrible jaws as though tearing
flesh to bits.
man
it
weapon
available.
He
122
Not a sound
is
howdah.
Every one
is
on the
who know
on
its
enemy,
in
in the
howdah
'
human
beings, vary
much
in character/
Woods and
Forests to the
late
Inspector-General of
of India, returned
Government
THE PANTHER
LEOPARD
123
(Felis pardus).
i.
largest of the
islands.
away.
'
old
men baboons
'
will
in
pieces.
i2 4
spine
broken.
is
it
grows
and whipping
especially a dog,
times
it
daily at
which
it
at night
helps
it
goes
itself at
presence.
On
Leopard does become a manand is then even more dreaded than the tiger,
inasmuch as it can leap farther and can climb trees. Its
rare occasions, the
eater,
cunning, too,
is
animals, which
of the village,
it,
It
which was
left
showed
its
cunning
in
another way.
As a
eat to repletion
and then
prey,
hungry,
Plate
VL
THE LEOPARD
125
same
place,
and often
contented
itself
teeth
it
is
what
of
its tribe,
the creature
first
tried to escape
by climbing up
man from
When
bank.
it
torn out.
126
The
cousins
Japan, and
where it was far more friendly than many cats. The lion
and tiger, too, are frequently tamed, but such animal friendships often end in dire tragedy, the creatures being liable at
any moment
to be impelled
JAGUAE
(Felis onca).
4.
The Jaguar
inhabits
and
wanders
Brazil,
from which
it
by the
animal
to the
pampas
the active
limb in
THE JAGUAR
127
paw is
is
swifter
to
its
bend
of a river
fish
with
its
broad paws.
The
and
seldom ventures to
it
attack
if
on his
and
other
oxen,
man, especially
guard,
When
and
it
finds
128
until they
Humboldt
says was the case in his day, when he calculated that quite
four thousand Jaguars were killed in South America every
year.
PUMA
(Felts concolor).
i.
Few
the
Being able
Puma
Felidae,
feet,
its
its
In addition to preying
rhea or American
the
creatures, the
upon
and
overcome the
living prey
will
ostrich,
South American
still
it
and
Puma
is
many
other
wild
a terrible scourge
PLATE
i.
DOMESTIC CAT.
(See page 131)
2.
VIII.
page 130)
(Photo W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE IX.
i.
CARACAL.
(See
2.
page 133)
CARACAL CUB.
3.
OCELOT.
(See
page 130)
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
THE PUMA
129
owing
colts.
is
end
of a lasso over
of each cord
it,
and
helpless
dead.
In the north the creature
with dogs, treed, and shot.
is
animal is
hunted
until the
relentlessly
It
is
beast of prey
it
is
to flight.
It
of amiability
on the part
animal displays
springing
manner
Puma
at
all
of the South
number by
the ferocity of
mankind and
its
America
race,
are
crouching and
is
Puma
in
An
Its
the
angry
leaping
iso
it
feet
easily
root of the
tail, it is
fully
The
tawny
large
enough
to pull
down and
kill
the
young
of the smaller
antelopes.
WILD CAT
(Felis catus).
of
Europe
is
2.
known
in Ireland.
It
is
now
revert to
It
is
on the verge
Pennant painted
it
*
:
if
it
is
called the
it
is
the fiercest
porch
cat.
after
Even
to the fact
that a
man
being attacked by a
in captivity the crea-
size.)
about three
feet in length.
DOMESTIC CAT
(Felis domesticus).
i.
is
It
impossible to say at what period cats became
domesticated, but it is almost certain that the Egyptians
were the first to make use of their undoubted good qualities.
The Domestic Cat is smaller than its wild progenitor, and
shows endless variations in colour in the different breeds.
32
is
most
its
LYNX
(Felis lynx).
Some
3.
ought to
Owing to its great range and its ability to live in either very
hot or very cold countries, there is considerable variation in
colour. The Common Lynx has soft, thick fur, greyish
or reddish in tint, and usually marked with black spots.
The Southern, or Spanish, Lynx (Felis pardina) is of a
redder shade, while the animal of Central Asia is paler and
more uniform.
It is mainly a nocturnal forest-dweller, hunting small
mammals and birds, following them even up to the tops of
trees.
It is the most destructive of the carnivores now left
Europe. To sheep and goats it is a relentless
enemy, killing an animal instantly, devouring but a small
to plague
portion of the body and leaving the rest. A single Lynx has
been known to slay forty sheep in the space of a few weeks.
Being seldom seen, the animal is but little hunted unless
it
live
now
In
the
is
THE CHEETAH
133
creature that
It
of Canada about as far north as the Arctic Circle.
seldom attacks any of the larger quadrupeds, preferring to
In this region the animal is
subsist chiefly upon the hare.
hunted for its fur, and when face to face with the hunter it
rarely does more than set up its hair and spit like an angry
cat
but a blow on its back is generally sufficient to give it
its quietus.
Lynx skins at one time were sent to England
in thousands by the Hudson Bay Company, but the animal
now exists in greatly diminished numbers.
The Caracal (Felis caracal), Plate IX. Figs, i and 2, the
handsomest of the Lynx tribe, is elegant in shape, light
chestnut in colour, and not spotted as are many others of
its kind.
It is found throughout Africa, Arabia, Persia,
In size it is considerably less than the
India, and Tibet.
;
Common
CHEETAH
(Cynalurus jubatus).
The Cheetah
is
2.
of Somaliland, East,
region the animal is
and South
known
Africa.
as the
In the last-named
Woolly Cheetah
(Cynce-
lurus laned).
and somewhat
34
the cats
secretive
and
stealthy.
of interest
When
it
it is
is
it
is
common
itself
is
feature
not more
is
the
captured it is
it awake, until
and keeping
it
becomes
and
which is
pitifully abject
link
called
Hyenas
in some respects
The skull is cat-
remove from the earth the carcasses and bones of the larger
animals after death. For example, if a camel should die,
the vultures, jackals, and other creatures begin to consume
the soft parts almost before the breath is out of it. But the
bones are beyond their power, and in order to remove them
we have the Hyaenas, whose jaws and teeth are formed for
the express purpose of crushing the bones, which no other
animal can break. The thigh-bone of a buffalo will be
smashed almost with the
of
not,
that
however, be supposed
the Hyaena scavenger
is
restricted to bones
quite
as often as not it is on the
scene early to do its share
;
of the picking.
It
is
parti-
enormous
size.)
on
the top of the skull mark the tremendous power in the
jaw, since they indicate the size of the muscles which are
attached to them. The teeth, of which there are four more
than in the cats, are large and strong
the canines are
smaller and the outermost incisors are much longer than
in the Felidae, and some of the molar teeth have three
bony
ridges
cutting edges.
The tongue
is
set
136
appearance,
creature.
to
bay
will
is
it
it
a cowardly
turn
upon
its
will
The Hyaena
and
it
is
weapon
will
desert
its
owner
in the
day
punctilious, and
of battle.
will
Some
not hesitate
so rank and
it.
striata).
i.
tail.
its
den,
among
As evening draws
mences
137
filled in
is
in-
Bruce concerning
his
it
encounters with the Hyaena. ' They were,' says he, * the
scourge of Abyssinia. From evening till the dawn the
town of Gondar was full of them. Here they sought
the
different
exposed
in the streets
without burial.
Many
which were
a time
when
me
138
is more
easily
and Bishop Heber recorded that in India he saw a Hyaena which followed a
gentleman about like a dog, and fawned on those with
whom it was acquainted. Cuvier, that close observer of
animals, believed that in a domestic state the Hyaena would
doubtless render to man services of the same kind and
tamed or
exhibits
more
affection,
'
crocuta).
few are
is
still
larger,
to
stronger, fiercer,
It
to Abyssinia
be found.
northern cousin.
all
2.
It is
more massively
built,
and
measures
as
much
as
six
feet
its
in
called the
Wolf
or Tiger-wolf.
decaying flesh.
The statement requires corroboration, but some travellers
assert that the Hyaena stores up fresh food until it is sufficiently tainted to tickle its palate.
Bearing this in mind
was rv nce the means of saving a hunter's life. While he was
unanhed he
fell
mind
death. The
presence
lay
animals examined him, turning him over with their gruesome snouts, and one gaunt creature bit him on the thigh,
of
Plate VII.
1.
Striped Hyaena
if
for
that
139
of
the
Hyaenas
to a cave,
off to join
may be
to
The
and
involuntary movement.
to his shoulder.
4o
AARD WOLF
Plate
(Proteles cristatus).
XIV.
Fig.
of South Africa
is
2.
burrows, but
chamber, though each appropriates to its own use the tunnel
which it has dug. Carrion and white ants form the chief
food of this hyaena-like animal.
many
but semi-planti-
The shape
lumps or cusps.
and the
grinders, losing
have their surfaces raised in little
THE CIVETS
CIVET (Viverra
141
civetta).
i.
This animal, a
common
tail
the height
is
from ten
yellowish-grey, marked
by dark blotches and broken dark streaks ; the tail is darkly
The
ringed, the bands getting fainter towards the tip.
Civet of India (Viverra zibetha), Southern China, and parts
of Malaysia is a slightly bigger animal, with stripes replacing
to twelve inches.
In colour
it
is
the spots,
and the
tail
is
size.)
marked by only
five
or six broad
bands of white.
In habits the two animals
hiding in
woods or
open
habitations.
and
birds,
They
preying
opportunity
offers,
insects, eggs, roots
upon
but
and
mammals
whenever
on
snakes, frogs,
feeding
fowls
also
and
ducks
fruits.
The
is
placed in
two or three
Dutch
numbers
of the animals.
142
When
civet
is
in
certain
much
ICHNEUMON
ounce
as forty shillings an
is
(Herpestes ichneumon).
2.
The Ichneumon
of
is
Ichneumon
is
eggs which the reptile has buried in the sand and destroying them without mercy. As the egg of the crocodile is
is
obliged to eat
many
of
them before
its
is satisfied,
its
The
'
Rat, as
it is
often
wrongly
It is peculiarly
it.
graceful and easy in its movements, and
endowed with surprising agility when irritated or about to
spring on its prey, its eyes become vivid, its hair erect, and
its whole aspect betrays
great eagerness and ferocity. The
;
tip of
the
little
tail
Plate VIII.
1.
S.Arctic
Civet
Fox
THE MONGOOSE
143
and fawn colour its eyes are red, small, and sparkling its
voice is soft and murmuring, and it often sits up like a
;
squirrel
in
feeding.
MONGOOSE
The Mongoose,
in
spite
of
its
or
Mungoose,
natural
is
fierceness
3.
is
'
Though
'
Mungo
i44
and
family,
it
muzzle.
It is
turong)
PLATE X.
SURICATE.
2.
GEXET.
3.
SERVAL.
(Photos W.
S.
Eerridge, F3.S.)
PLATE XI.
i.
FOX TERRIERS.
2.
POINTER.
3.
GREYHOUND.
X. Fig.
i,
145
its
holes in
as the otter.
FAMILY CANID.E
Under
(DOGS).
the general
the
natural
mentary claw is
sometimes added.
The
blunt
claws
with which the toes
are furnished
are
In
not retractile.
gait
are
they
Digitigrades.
of a dog
paw
all
The
is
not
SKULL OF THE DOMESTIC DOG.
(One-fourth natural
is
size.)
teeth,
never begin-
Dogs from
its
out
its
When
146
though
of
all
them
are tamable,
in varying degrees.
DOG
(Cam's familiaris).
Plates XI.
and XII.
its
yet
original stock
the
still
we can
we know
of
no wild beast
to
which
refer with
The Dog
commonly mentioned
is
in
the
Bible,
but
it
impossible as a pet.
The outstanding
feature of the
affection
147
or Collie, as
Dog
it
is
To
tribe.
and
operations amid the hills of Wales
that
to
and
point
any
driving sheep
Scotland, collecting
It is a remarkable fact that, when
its master desires.
alarmed, the sheep will run to the Dog for protection.
must watch
its
The St. Bernard, one of the noblest of the Dogs, for ages
has been trained by the pious monks of the monastery of St.
Bernard in the Alps to rescue travellers who have lost their
Barry,' one
way in the snowdrifts in the mountain passes.
famous animal, saved no less than forty lives, and lost his
own life while engaged in a further rescue. In our country
there is no opportunity of utilising the St. Bernard's services
in this direction ; but the breed is very popular, and as much
as ^1,500 has been paid for a prize animal.
'
it.
This action
is
called a
point,'
and
indicates to
master.
Upon one occasion a wounded partridge escaped
into a ditch, from which a little later the dog emerged,
carrying a rusty old kettle by its handle, which to the
like the
a popular pet
England.
Dog
in
Pomeranian breed
It is
in
shape
i48
or black, and
its
tongue
is
blue-black in colour.
The Dog
better off in
the table.
'
'
'
'
To
animal.
person.
ESKIMO DOG
i.
PLATE XII.
I.
ESKIMO DOG.
2.
POODLE.
3.
NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.
PLATE
i.
XIII.
2.
DINGO.
(Photos W.
S.
Ben-idge, F.Z.S.)
149
is this all
they yoke them to heavily-laden
which
with
sledges,
untiring patience these animals will
from
one
drag
hunting ground to another. The following
extract is from Captain Parry's Journal of a Second Voyage
for the Discovery of a North-west Passage :
deer
nor
over the
back,
and attached
sledge as a trace.
be huddled together
in fact, considerable
the
to
at first sight to
attention
selection of a
dog
of peculiar spirit
and
sagacity,
who
is
side,
is
and having
in his
upon
his next
avoid the whip, so that after running a few miles the traces
always require to be taken off and cleaned.'
'
With good sleighing
that is, on good roads
six or
seven dogs will draw from eight to ten hundredweight, at
'
'
i5o
hour,
and
are,
in
fact,
almost
unmanageable.
are
ill
and
To
treat
the
them
with greater kindness than the men, the Dogs are affecFrom the men they receive
tionate in the highest degree.
little except blows and rough treatment ; still they are faithful
and enduring.
WILD DOG.
In various parts of the world there are Wild Dogs, of
to say whether they are of the
it is impossible
original stock, or whether they are the descendants of once
which
panionship.
Dogs
divide themselves
'
the prophecy that the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the
portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her/
Quite different is the Red Dog of the Deccan. It is not a
fulfilled
city dweller,
It
is
tree, there in
its
meal.
impotent
THE WOLF
The
has
Cape
Hunting
or
Dog,
XIII.
(Plate
something
like the
Wild
and
Dog
Africa
of
feet,
Hunting
hyaena.
151
and
in packs,
in particular
is
it
it
spotted
is the
lays a
heavy
neighbourhood of
settlements these organised marauders will kill cattle and
sheep.
Dashing into a herd near a house, the Dogs will
select an animal and drive it away over the nearest rising
ground. Once over the ridge, they kill it and pick its bones
before a horse can be saddled and some one come to the
toll
family.
it
In the
rescue.
The Dingo
(Plate
XIII.
Fig. 2) was at
Australia and
one time
New
immense
loss
from the
its
life
and
some-
habits,
thing
with the sheep and poultry. The animal is interesting as
being one of the few Australian mammals outside the
Marsupial group and no end of discussion has waged
;
origin
of
the
WOLF
(Cants lupus}.
3.
formidable
152
end
cases
it
is
nearer six
feet.
During
depredations of the packs are a serious matter.
severe weather Wolves from the Carpathian Mountains and
from Russia cross the frozen rivers as far as to the Ardennes
Forest in the south-east of Belgium. In the early part of
last century, in Livonia, a province of Russia, only six times
the area of Yorkshire, in one year Wolves destroyed nearly
two thousand each of horses and cattle, fifteen thousand
sheep, over two thousand goats, and four
thousand
swine,
size.)
numbers.
We can readily believe that the Wolf was
at one time a terror in
England.
of January
'
'
The month
was
called
'
The
It
THE WOLF
153
fallen
its
heard of a troop of
concert.
lion
and
at this day.'
killed
They
drive the
doomed animal
it
by
to the
down and
pick
its
154
telegraph
proved quite
more
is
art of
captured
The
to his service.
is
than
freak
(Canis pallipes)
(Plate
is less
XV.
in
2).
Fig.
common
species,
a speciality of preying
natives believe that the
upon
little
now do
THE JACKAL
155
JACKAL
up the
(Canis aureus).
4.
The
tail is
Nubia
to the
Cape.
The common
it is
shade.
The
'
to clear
up
156
even to
it, and resorts
and
We
read
cemeteries
to
graves
satisfy its ghoulish taste.
that Samson
went and caught three hundred foxes and
took firebrands/ which he tied to the animals for the pur'
The
pose of burning the cornfields of the Philistines.
of
three
would
be
hundred
foxes
difficulty
very
procuring
great, since the animal is not gregarious and would require
to be captured singly, whereas Jackals might be captured in
a drove.
The Black-backed
Africa
is
with black, broken with silvery hairs and tufts. During the
South African War the Jackals, like the leopards, very
greatly increased, owing to there being no men on the farms
to keep down their numbers.
This animal is particularly
destructive to
rewards for
its
per head.
In India and South Africa sportsmen often regularly hunt
the Jackal in the same manner as the fox is chased in
FOX
(Cam's vulpes).
Of the
common
Fox, our
own
4.
variations in size
is
The
is
PLATE XIV.
I
i.
PRAIRIE WOLF.
(See
page 154)
2.
AARD WOLF.
(See page 140)
(Photos
PLATE XV.
i.
FENNEC.
(See
page 159)
2.
ALBINO WOLF.
(See
page 154)
(Photos W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S.)
THE FOX
157
The Fox
of its own
'
is
It
birds, rats, mice, and even frogs, beetles, and worms.
has a mania for poultry, as the British farmer often learns
to his cost.
its
foes;
to be a tree-
would dream
five cubs,
More
and she
will
158
changing fashions.
ARCTIC FOX
(Canis lagopus).
The
Arctic
Fox
is
common
5.
It
but, in
common
with other
regions as
remain
animal
in vast
colour
all
seal flesh, of
there
is a
deep black, the long hairs all terminating in
which
white,
produces a singularly beautiful effect, whence
colour
The imperial
silvery.'
made
of
the
black necks
Russia,
exhibited at Hyde Park in 1851.
the
title
'
was valued
at
3,500.
159
(Cants zerda).
XV.
Fig.
i.
sandy
soil.
FAMILY MUSTELID^:.
This family forms a most heterogeneous collection of
carnivorous animals, which are found in all parts of the
world with the exception of the West Indies and Australasia.
Differing much among themselves in size, and including
burrowers, tree-climbers, and animals distinctly aquatic, it
would be almost useless to attempt to describe characters
common
to
all,
as,
'
Melince,
3. Lutrince,
e.g.,
Marten,
or Otters.
Sub-Family Mustelinse.
160
of
of
proportion to their
pointed; the teeth
are sharp and thoroughly carnivorous in character. Their
relish for blood is strong, and only their inferiority of
size prevents their being among the most formidable of
animals. Their bite is keen and deep, and they generally fix
upon a vital part where some large vein invites them, and
there hang until their victim expires.
From their slender,
size.
The muzzle
of the small
all
head
is
are
WEASEL
(Putorius vulgaris).
6.
Plate
7.
Ferret
IX.
8.
Mink
THE WEASEL
161
at
lie.
By
its
size.)
under
its
wing
completely lacerated,
the
bird
12
162
body.
Not
until
he secured a
rock.
modify
STOAT OR ERMINE
its
nature as
is
a leopard
(Putorius erminea).
3.
The
and
tip.
which
whose
The
is
black.
fur
is
the Ermine,
animals
it
is
in great request.
and when
it
It is
young
ones, even
when
it
is
THE POLECAT
163
of putrefied flesh,
sufficiently 'high.'
the spot in its prey
to
its
and
that
it
The back
it
is
is
its
seizes,
and
it
blood, even
will cling
when
it
is
picked up.
The white coat of the Ermine
POLECAT
(Putorius fcetidus).
4.
The
it is
Polecat
now one
164
The
is
rather
handsome
it
is
prin-
cipally dark brown, almost black, the under fur being pale
yellow, while the head is marked with black and white.
When molested, or irritated, the animal emits an odour
that
is
clear a
whole warren,
will
for the
as
depredator
many
as twenty rabbits at a single
and all without a
visit,
kill
FERRET
(Putorius furo).
7.
THE MINK
165
their
or
it
MINK
(Mustela lutreola).
8.
(Mustela vison).
differs considerably in
habits from the
other species of the genus. It is a kind of water polecat,
which spends as much time in the water as it does on
land.
It feeds on the smaller mammals, but a great deal of
This animal
its
etc.
and
Its fur,
166
that
is
animal
PINE
MARTEN
(Mustela martes).
5.
The
(Mustela foina).
white throat
its
it is
are a very
flexible, is
smell of
some
of
its
relations.
THE SABLE
167
none
fawns.
When chased
it
bounding
SABLE
(Mustela zibellind).
Some
2.
Siberian Sable
is
of
Sheriffs
London
Sable trap
is
168
little
intruder
and
at
blow.
hundred
set a
When
baits
rear,
traps
falling log.
discovers
and venison
scatter
it
will
GLUTTON
many
(Gulo luscus).
4.
New
World.
Its
bulky body
is
nearly
its
The
with
sides are a pale reddish-
brown.
The
curved claws.
The motion
The Glutton
is
sufficiently
animal
bad
in
is
not at
all
character
good
without
THE BADGER
resorting to exaggeration.
its
strength
and were
appetite,
is fittingly
often
undoubted cunning
to
size
Carnivora.
It has already been told
is
is
matched by
voracious
only proportionate
would be one of the most formidable of the
its
it
It
169
literally
how
plagued
to
the marten
death
well-known
its
by the
Wolverene's
trapper relates
depredations.
how one of the animals depleted his traps time after time,
until he determined to devote his energies to catching the
artful
skilful
marauder.
He set nine traps for three weeks, but while
the cunning creature carefully avoided them, it still stole
the baits and any captured animals that were in the simpler
marten snares. The trapper next set a spring gun, only to
when
some consolation
an
marten
skins.
Sub-Family Melinse.
BADGER
Coloured
(Meles
Plate
X.
taxus).
Fig.
5.
pounds.
Like the wolverene, the Badger is only semi-plantigrade,
the heel being slightly raised from the ground.
Its long
70
have straight toes with curved but rather blunt, nonclaws, with which the animal burrows with
wonderful rapidity. In common with various animals of
the family, the Badger can easily walk or trot backwards.
The hair is reddish or yellowish grey, the lower parts
being darker, and the head black and white.
Found throughout the northern parts of Europe, Asia,
feet
retractile
the British
of
common
is still fairly
Islands.
It
is
in
many
a perfectly harmless
Badger
is
&c.
is
its
original owner.
Like the
poetical allusion
THE BADGER
Badger
171
qualities :
'
He lived with us for years,
and
am
its
good
able to give
him
man dislikes the smell, the Badger likes it less. The greyhounds soon made friends with him, and long before he
was fully grown he was their master, and could roll them
over with the greatest ease. He was omnivorous, but the
treat of his life was a lump of sugar, or, better still, a little
honey. He slept under my bed all the time we were in the
tent, and would follow me almost like a dog/
Badger-baiting was at one time a very popular sport in
England. Even nowadays the discovery of one of the
animals
is
Though
naturally harmless
the
occasion for
much
barbarous treatment.
and rather
itself
often
like
tamed
the American
evil-smelling qualities.
something
second in
172
SKUNK
(Mephitis
variant).
2.
When
appendage.
Skunk
fur
is
to great heat.
rid of
If
its
offensive
THE OTTER
173
The skunk
is
gardens and plantations it works much damage. The landowner almost cheerfully suffers this injury rather than eject
the creature and thus give rise to an intolerable stench,
almost as vile in character as that emitted by the skunk.
Sub -Family
OTTER (Lutra
Lutrinae.
vulgaris).
The
at
i.
home when
an aquatic
serviceable rudder.
The Common
one of the most
abundant.
owner.
birds,
and
When
small
animals,
poultry,
fails
it
and even
will
prey upon
young lambs
pigs.
The
webbed and
fitted
The
that they can almost perform the action of fins.
eyes of the animal are placed nearer the nose than in
most other animals, allowing it easily to see upwards, for
which reason the Otter generally pursues its prey from the
74
by the roots
of
an old
tree.
Otter-hunting
strongest dog.
foes, assailed
is still
it
size.)
last,
and
it
dies without
It
ashamed
of his kind.
is
afforded
THE OTTER
175
The
seen/
daylight
but
no bar to the
is
December, 1908,
tremendous fight between a great pike and an Otter in the
The pair repeatedly rose to the surface and
local canal.
dived again, the water being coloured with blood. Finally,
the Otter, which lost an ear in the struggle, killed the pike
and dragged it ashore, where the victor was shot by an
onlooker. The fish weighed twenty-three pounds, very little
short of the weight of the finest specimens of British
dog
Otters.
The
Otter
is
far
from being
destitute of intelligence
docility
it
may be
and
indeed been
Bewick tells
Scotsman who employed one very successfully in
salmon-fishing, the animal sometimes taking nine or ten
fish in a day.
It followed its master like a
dog, and disThe chief
played great confidence and attachment.
of a
is
that,
when prey
becomes exceedingly dainty, and after bringing a salmon ashore will merely bite a piece from the
shoulder, leave the fish on the bank, and go after another.
The Scotch shepherds who are stationed near salmon
streams find the Otter one of their best friends, as it keeps
them supplied with fish season after season.
In some parts of the world the Otter is quite extensively
tamed, and taught to catch fish for its master. The
Chinese and the Hindoos are great adepts at this art.
Bishop Heber mentions in his journal that when passing
near a river he saw nearly a dozen Otters lying on the banks,
tethered with straw collars and long ropes. They were
is
plentiful,
it
176
teeth.
half
the
Otter-hunting
and
gentry
badger-baiting
of
England.'
Otter
is
marina).
its
fresh-water
flipper-like,
hind
&c. There
which are long and
shell-fish,
feet,
it
is
brownish-black
The Sea
Otter
first
case
number
In
either speared or clubbed.
of boats, each manned by a
animal.
until
the
Plate
X.
6.
5.
Badger
Raccoon
THE RACCOON
177
longer,
Nowadays the
rifle
is
the chief
means employed
to
capture the Sea Otter, and as the head offers a fair mark
even at a distance of a thousand yards, it is a far easier
method than the old style. The Otter rifleman plies his
business throughout the year, and consequently there is
little wonder that Sea Otter skins get fewer and fewer
each season.
FAMILY PROCYONID^E.
RACCOON
(Procyon
lotor).
Though
in
6.
cousins to the bears, from which they are chiefly distinguished by their inferior size and the possession of two
true molar teeth on each side of the jaw.
zeal.
The animal
trees with
trunks.
an
It
interesting,
is
if
mischievous, pet.
13
In body
it is
short
and
178
The
fox.
general
ringed with
bands of black hair. Its food is extremely varied, ranging
from vegetable to animal, as occasion serves. It is rather
apt to invade hen-roosts, but otherwise does little harm.
stout,
colour
The
tail
is
fur
rugs,
its
COAITI (Nasua
lives
its
diet.
prey.
rufa).
3.
colour,
the Coaiti
to the
is
is almost equal
nocturnal in its habits,
bushy tail curled over its
monkey
in that respect.
It is
and
it
is
Central American
animal, differing
in
no
is
(Cercoleptes caudivolvulus).
The Kinkajou
and Latin
179
derives
its
i.
respectively, both of
given to the lovely furry creature in allusion to its prehensile appendage, which is nearly as flexible as that of
the spider monkey.
The earlier naturalists classed the
Kinkajou among
thumb and the
the Lemurs.
fingers
are
extremely
and
long
When
it
ball.
will
demurely on
also
its
sit
hind
that
size.)
The Cacomistle
Mexico
is
cat-like creature,
Its
coat
is
mostly
a rich red
numbers
commerce.
sufficient
of
more common
article
i8o
worn down
teeth of the true carnivores, differing technically from their nearest relations only by having
two molar teeth on each side of the upper and three in
the lower jaw. The canine teeth are large and strong, but
not nearly so prominent as in the cat and dog tribes.
There is a marked difference in the jaws from those of the
Carnivora generally. The Bear's jaws are not limited to a
scissor-blade
movement
it
and chew
jaw movement.
In cold regions, from October to March some of the
female Bears hibernate in hollow trees, caves, or collections
of branches and moss, during which time birth is given to
the young ; the males and younger females do not take
an unbroken rest. Though most Bears do not, as a rule,
molest human beings, it is best to give them a wide berth
their long
fast.
shuffling
in teeth,
181
claws,
agility,
there
BROWN BEAR
(Ursus
arctos).
i.
most
is
existed in Britain,
fight in the arena.
for the
The
Romans exported
the beast to
crowds.
if
Carnivora,
the frozen
when they
fight
i8 2
upon the hind feet and strike with the armed fore
paws. The power of the Bear's stroke is terrible, and is the
more to be dreaded because it is as quick as it is strong. No
trained boxer can deliver a blow more swift or more true
erect
antagonist in
that
it
drives
its
Many
it
clasps
all
useless to attack a
off
the hands of
of
closes to claw
trees.
He
mountain
is
also
thistle, &c,,
and
partial to
many
berries
common
to the
he then devours/
Cattle-owners have but little fear of the Bear, for it much
varied occasionally with wasp and
prefers vegetable food
bee grubs to the flesh of animals but now and then
a Bear does take to cattle-killing, and then becomes the
The
terror of the neighbourhood, and must be destroyed.
usual mode of killing the Bear in Scandinavia is by a shall,
;
i.e.,
by finding
its
great request
among Russian
nobles for
warm
sledge rugs.
PLATE XVI.
GRIZZLY BEAR.
PLATE XVII.
i.
MALAYAN BEAR.
(See
2.
SLOTH BEAR.
page 188)
(Photos W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S.)
183
Some
the heat of
who have
all
visited the
ceeding.
The Brown
failing,
skin
of
carry
it, is
by no
ferox).
XVI.
The
American Continent,
tribe.
It
with an
Sir
as
it is
that the
'
i8 4
brown
attack
man, when
has been
known
and
man on
the tables on
'
Old Ephraim.'
syriacus).
and again
wood and
that
'
185
there
tare forty
came
forth
and two of
times attains.
Its chief depredations are confined to stealing corn, apples, and grapes from the vineyards.
POLAR BEAR
(Ursus maritimus).
2.
feet
make
is
is
excellent paddles.
it
will drift
186
Now,
it
must be remembered
nearly equal in bulk to a small elephant, weighing something in the neighbourhood of a ton, and is, moreover,
armed with a pair of terrible tusks. The usual mode of
is
size.)
its
black
likely to show
capturing seals it is
frozen surroundings.
In
under
a
floe
and appearing at the
remarkably adept, diving
which
is
the
retreat
to
the
alarmed
hole,
only
open
against
its
easily
prey.
to
an immense
feet.
size, sometimes
One, which measured
Plate
1.
XL
Brown Bear
2.
Polar Bear
187
seven
feet
eight
hundred pounds.
more sombre-clothed
unlike
its
attempt to
when
it
of one,
is
turns with
it
exposes
its
its
track,
of turning
is
Unless the
injury, the hunter
thrust
his
huge adversary.
The
that of the
feeder
fish, flesh,
nothing
than it
is
rejected.
is
own
flesh.
by no means hard
to keep in captivity
England, notwithstanding the inability to provide it with
One animal
anything like its accustomed environment.
in
is
i88
it
islands,
is
much damage
a great
in the
that
Chapter VII
ORDER
IV.
SUB-ORDER
2.
CARNIVORA
(continued)
mon
CHAPTER
Order IV.
Sub-Order
2.
VII
Carnivora
(continued)
PASSING
sea, we come
it
is
in reality
they act exactly like the pectoral fins and tail of a fish.
limbs, especially, are directed backwards, and
the bones are so modified that, when the feet are pressed
together, they can be swept from side to side as if they were
the tail fin of a fish.
Indeed, as the Seal feeds on fish, as
does the otter, it is necessary that it should be swifter than
its
In the otter the tail is the propelling organ but
prey.
in the Seal the hind limbs are used in tail fashion.
In the water the movements of the Seal are extremely
The hind
graceful
191
192
various
in
Traders
sions.
classification,
varieties into
dividing
Hair
of
technical
service
simpler
the
diverse
Seals,
the
for
divi-
adopt
Fur
Seals,
first-named
their
hides
or
true
Seals
the
Otariidae,
or
enormous
tusks projecting
from the
upper jaw.
One
193
FAMILY PHOCID^E.
COMMON SEAL
(Phoca vitulina}.
3.
and the
Isle of
the shy creature has almost forsaken these regions for many
Occasionally small herds enter our river mouths,
years.
far from the Tay Bridge was once witnessed a
encounter between a Seal and a large salmon. For
an hour the huge fish made gallant efforts to escape its foe,
but eventually the Seal caught and devoured it in triumph.
Only a few years ago a Seal was shot in the Thames at
and not
terrific
Richmond.
The Common
Seal
is
its
length not
feet.
Its
rather
and
in
consequence the
skin,
though
useful,
is
of
no
special
value.
is not found in sufficient
commercial importance, chiefly
Upon
numbers
to
make
it
of
is
194
easily
Seal that
was captured
in
B. Closed.
times it was taken out to sea and set free, but upon each
occasion it returned to its foster home. To test the Seal
still
further,
miles from
set in the
ocean many
Of other species
of the
VARIOUS SEALS
195
of four
than
many of its
gregarious
with
in
met
pairs.
cousins, usually being
only
The Bladder Nose, or Crested Seal (Cystophora cristata),
is the largest, fiercest, and most dangerous of the northern
as
eight
feet
in
length
hundred pounds.
It is
less
in a day.
Fortunately for the species,
however, Hair-sealing for various reasons has ceased
to be so profitable as was once the case, and in all probability
the Seal
is
as
numerous
as ever
it
196
leptonyx).
2.
is
to
marine mammal.
proboscided).
Plate XVIII.
PLATE XVI 1 1.
and
reward
their
after
197
a successful
'
My own
is
a brief
'
hour we were
by a most tremendous
Coming
roaring, as of a troop of lions newly landed.
across a ridge of rock into view of a little exposed bay,
we saw at least a hundred of these huge Seals emerging
from the broken water and lumbering shorewards.
We had been told that all we had to do was to smite
them fiercely on the nose, and they would fall an inert
mass at our feet, when we were to cut their throats
immediately. But somehow a sight of them did not seem
all
suddenly startled
stiff
'
we were
all
like
demons
at the
same
time.'
man
it
'
Now
198
do so, apparently
from underneath
SEA LION
(Otaria
stelleri).
i.
common
on the
is
persecution.
LIOIST
199
a thousand
To
of the hair seals, useful only for its hide, flesh, and fat.
the Aleutian islander it is as useful as is the walrus to the
Eskimo, and there
is
body
that
is
not of service.
per
annum.
frequents the
same breeding-
main
features,
larger animal.
in
to
the habits of
the
of
only fishes and squids, but also preying upon the slowgoing penguin.
200
SEA BEAR
(Otaria ursina}.
4.
There are four or five Southern fur seals that have been
almost wiped out of existence by continual hunting but
the Sea Bear, or Northern Fur Seal, still resorts in immense
herds to the islands in the Bering Sea, though it is by no
;
means so abundant
as
case.
'
When
the skin
is
first
it
gives
no
promise of the
soft
which is
These hairs
are removed
in
a very
ingenious manner.
Being
much longer than the hairs
their
penetrate
fur,
the
skin
VERTICAL SECTION OF THE SKIN OF
11111
The coarser
r L
Iv
In
osA.L*
on a
..
table.
With a long-
The gathering
season
is
together of
the
seals
in
the breeding
201
rocky shore a space of about ten feet square as tne site for
his housekeeping. Normally the seal is a soft-eyed, amiable
creature, except in his attitude towards the fish upon which
he feeds but now he becomes a fierce beast with bristling
moustache, glaring eyes, and teeth ever bared towards any
of his companions.
No sooner has he entered into possession of his freehold site than he becomes engaged in a series
of terrible combats with new-comers to retain it.
About the beginning of June the female seals arrive, and
then the scene simply defies description. Each bull is bent
upon stocking his allotment with partners, and as a female
comes swimming in to shore she is pounced upon by a mob
;
from limb
seized
them
young animals
their
own
accord.
One
feature of
the seal's
life
appears to be absolutely
202
falls
supply
'
rookery he
drinks, and never
at the
'
fast for
is
it
bourhood of a rookery,
terious
whole colony goes to sea again is equally mysif one is killed its stomach will be found to
for
The
it lies afloat
upon the curling waves, and the Polar bear
on the icefloes stealthily cuts off its retreat to the water.
But these inroads upon the numbers of the seal family
count as nothing compared to the fierce toll which man
takes.
Even within recent years a hundred thousand Fur
Seals have been taken in one season in the Pribyloff
Islands alone.
It
is a sordid, horrible business, which
cannot be written about nicely.'
In their greed for gain
as
'
glowing sunshine, as
thing should be.
if
asking
its
Maker why
this
until
seal a
close
Plate
XE.
1.
5.
Walrus
Sea Lion
THE WALRUS
203
WALRUS
of God's creatures,
(Trichechus rosmdrus).
5.
to libel
The
sionally.
members
are planted
flat at
204
and
between
fit
in
sand and
They
ice.
mud
The
nostrils of the
instead
of
Walrus,
terminating
in
The
orifices
the neck
two small
is
short
all
of
centrated in
Walrus
nurseries,
and the
be found that
is
of his rivals.
The Walrus
hundreds.
is a very sociable
creature, loving to herd in
Captain Cook thus describes his meeting with
THE WALRUS
205
'
They
lie in
fired at
in a
No
more
privation for the sake of its young. The great tusks which
are so vitally necessary to the existence of the animal, only
attain a length of one or two inches by the time the young
one
is
two years
When
old.
young male,
in particular, is
from the
succulent
morsels
to
grub up
he
will
still
take milk
it may be
considered to have no serious enemy among the animal
inhabitants of the chilly regions where it dwells.
The
Polar Bear, gaunt and ravenous, will not enter joyfully into
a conflict with a Walrus, for it knows that the ivory tusks
claws to make
much
leathery hide.
up
to take the
on
yet some
a foregone conclusion no skull could withstand the terrible blows which the bear deals it. But if the
while
it
more or
is
less,
2o6
ill
is
encountered.
To
the
Eskimo
From
tribes, the
Walrus
is
the
first
necessity of
life.
sledges and the heads of his weapons, while the tusks form
the points of his spears and harpoons, and are also cut into
fish-hooks, the weights of bird-slings, and similar objects.
The intestines are split, and twisted into twine of great
strength, from which are made the nets and fishing-lines on
Chapter VIII
ORDER
V.
RODENTIA (GNAWING
ANIMALS)
SUB-ORDER
I.
SIMPLE-TOOTHED
RODENTS
SUB-ORDER 2. DOUBLE-TOOTHED
RODENTS
Chipmunk Marmot
Beaver
Dog
Mouse-like Rodents House Mouse Field
Mouse Harvest Mouse Dormouse Black
Rat Brown Rat Field Vole Water VoleMusquash Hamster Lemming Jerboa
Cape Jumping Hare Porcupine Chinchilla
Assapan
Anomalure
Wood-chuck
Viscacha
Hare
Prairie
Capybara
PLATE XIX.
(Photo
IF. S.
Bt-iridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE XX.
i.
FLYING SQUIRRELS.
(See pai*e 214)
2.
WATER VOLE.
tS
page 232)
CHAPTER
VIII
Order V. Rodcntia
(Gnawing Animals)
Rodents are small or moderately sized animals,
in their external appearance strongly
of
THEmanysome which
resemble
of the Insectivora.
They
are
more widely
distributed than
in
the earth, they are flying gymnasts, they are expert divers,
or they are agile leapers whose movements the eye can
scarcely follow.
to the animals
literally
on account
means
a gnawer,
and
is
given
there
is
209
GNAWING ANIMALS
2io
softer iron.
by
The
not employing
in the
or failing
The
possibility
illustration
of
the
shows what
head
rabbit's
of
HEAD OF A RABBIT.
Showing abnormal growth of
incisor teeth.
Unbroken
the
left
teeth
Side
The
grOW
UI1-
feeders
of
them
not
for food,
something to be
fit
though
odour
desired.
In
Plate
7.
Golden Agouti
S.Syrian Hyrax
SQUIRREL-LIKE RODENTS
to the
Owing
number
of
species of
marked
211
similarity
upper jaw.
This Sub-order
is
Sub-Order
I.
SIMPLE-TOOTHED RODENTS
SQUIRREL-LIKE RODENTS.
(Sciurus vulgaris).
4.
is
particularly
abundant
in
North America.
With
which its
for
dweller,
fore feet, with finger-like
toes
and
specially
sharp
fit
nails,
it.
of
Isles
is
the
pretty
British
little
GNAWING ANIMALS
2i2
The
tufted
long,
spreading,
bushy
tail
is
carried
erect
when
the
up on
their
their
The
provisions on which to
the icy clutch of winter.
subsist
It
when
forms
little
the country
is
in
magazines of food
THE SQUIRREL
213
of the year.
The
London
its
special prerogative to
by the
State
single year in
for
each head of
this
animal
and
in
coat of
the
Common
GNAWING ANIMALS
2i 4
make
Squirrel, goes to
the
'
squirrel cloaks
'
coveted wear.
The
fully
more
One
beautiof
the
is
The Taguan
It
Squirrels.
east.
Fig.
i.
is
is
XX.
(Pteromys petauristd).
It is
from two
inches.
to
only just appear from under the soft folds of the delicately
thin
membrane.
When making
stretches out
its
one of
its
first
and then,
from
tree to tree.
Various species
of
Flying
found from
China and Japan ;
Squirrels are
to
as Guatemala.
The
PLATE XXI.
^-
W\^m\ ^
I.
''"^v,,lf/
POLATOUCHE.
2.
ANOMALUKE.
FLYING SQUIRRELS
215
Taguan,
its soft-
Though
is
really a diminutive creature even when stretched out
in flying attitude, it can take flights of thirty yards with
ease.
The Assapan (Sciuropterus volucella) is the North
it
American Flying
It
Squirrel.
is
ANOMALURE
Plate
Though
it
is
marked
raise
to
it
the
African
(Anomalurus fulgens).
XXI.
Fig.
2.
presents
West
moves about
It
is
Gaboon
region.
cartilage,
The
its
membranes of the
and the Anomalure,
flying
allies,
as
GNAWING ANIMALS
216
CHIPMUNK
Plate
(Tamias
XXIV.
Fig.
striatus}.
3.
home
in
whisking about
The animal
known
name is
also
is
This
last
form and colour, and, including its tail, is just under a foot
in length.
On the back the fur is brownish-grey, warming
into orange-brown on the forehead and hindquarters
upon the sides are stripes of black and yellowish-white
;
found
Asia.
live in
nuts and
roots which
usually rewards
them
for
their
trouble.
its
various
GROUND SQUIRRELS
MARMOT
217
(Arctomys marmottd).
7.
a rabbit.
It
inhabits the higher regions of the Alps,
Pyrenees, and Carpathians, at elevations of seven or eight
thousand feet, and is the only European warm-blooded
quadruped found permanently at so great a height.
The burrows of a Marmot colony, which in Europe are
found
in
are rather
complicated.
They
The
wakes up from
pay
squirrel
visits to its
hunting.
its
various storehouses
GNAWING ANIMALS
218
At one time
it
in
England
to
There are other Marmots very similar in appearance and habit. The Bobac (Arctomys bobac) is found
in Eastern Russia and throughout Siberia to the shores of
to children.
the Pacific
the
pruinosus), one
north-west of British
of the
WOODCHUCK
The Woodchuck,
(Arctomys monax).
species,
districts,
damage
Woodchuck
is
In the
to agriculture.
New England
down
the
number
of the animals.
sometimes ascend
offer
much
has
rewards to keep
States
it
Thus
it comes about that it is often underof genial weather and while there is
weeks
ground during
abundance of food and in the succeeding spring it reap-
for months.
ludovicianus).
The
and
in
a dog.
Prairie
Dog
is
2.
gains
its
name on account
of
THE BEAVER
when alarmed.
219
bark-like cry
its
which
Mountains.
In
its
of the
doubtedly
rounder and
The
it
It is
is
is unhead is
ground
possesses a
its
huge numbers
the
'
intruders
FAMILY CASTORID^:.
BEAVER
(Castor fiber).
9.
The Beaver,
GNAWING ANIMALS
220
The head
large
is
scaly
all
Britain,
Northern Asia.
that
It
still
the
the trapper.
chiefly
its
constructive
and
engineer and
interest,
of
all
capacity
animals
it
is
that
the
attracts
as
is
popular
most methodical
builder.
and
as timber
THE BEAVER
in
221
many
tree
is
of
stripped
its
and
stream,
branches,
with
stones, and
up into a
the
mud
built
dam.
Sometimes a dam is two
hundred yards long, from
are
'
leave
to
its
gain
retreat,
access
to
The mud
TAIL OF THE BEAVER.
The
year.
is
ing
is so often stated.
feet,
is
roof of
a lodge is repaired
or renewed every
uses
its
plastertail as
hind legs
in
GNAWING ANIMALS
222
serviceable
when
the animal
is
spot.
In
winter, the
wolverene, the
inveterate
foe
of
the
summer
The Beaver
is
is
hunted for
articles
its
its
of apparel.
staple diet.
fur,
It
which
is
employed
for
also
yields castoreum,
obtained from two glands near the end of the
body. At one time used in medicine, the odoriferous substance is now chiefly employed in perfumery. Beavers can
scent castoreum at a considerable distance, and are irresisWhen a hunter sets a trap he fixes
tibly attracted by it.
it about six inches below the surface of the water, and from
it projects a twig that has been
dipped in castoreum, or
expensive
which
is
hidden snare.
asserted that sometimes are found lazy Beavers who
not assist in building dams or lodges. As these drones
are usually males, it is most probable that they have
been conquered by their stronger brethren in fights for
partners, and then driven out of the community, to
become idlers from necessity rather than from choice.
It is
will
MOUSE-LIKE RODENTS.
FAMILY MURID^E.
The Muridae is the largest and most typical family of the
Rodents. They are mainly small animals, and include some
of the tiniest of the mammals.
Mice and Rats are almost
223
them we
restless
many
larger animals.
is
musculus).
2.
light
ders
paws, are short and noiseless for creepThe ears and eyes are large, in
ing.
SKULL OF THE
MOUSE.
agreement with the watchful creatures
necessities.
The forepaws are used as
hands, during which time the tail assists to steady the
body in sitting up. The long, flexible, scaly tail is very
sensitive to touch.
Though so small, the incisor teeth
of the Mouse, with their rasp-like edges of enamel, can
GNAWING ANIMALS
224
boards, and
gnaw through
easily
even through
leaden
pipes.
and
straw,
all
is
threshed.
At
the
sume may
easily
The
Field
Mouse,
often
sylvaticus).
called
the
Wood
Mouse,
winter
it
outhouses.
In rickyards
it
cornfields, although in
to seek shelter in barns and
is
It
common
mouse, and
its
tail
nearly the length of its head and body ; the legs, too, are
rather longer. The fur is reddish grey, with a spot of light
brown on the chest.
is
The food
and
seeds,
of the Field
acorns
and
Mouse
nuts,
of
PLATE XXII.
or>-cf f./^
FIELD VOLES.
(Sec
Page 230)
2.
PRAIRIE DOG.
(Src
afe 218
PLATE XXIII,
i.
HARVEST MICK.
2.
HOUSE
MICE.
225
minutis).
i.
mammals,
as
it
certainly
is
is
the
the prettiest of
and
tail,
it
The colour
is
less
of
its
well-defined
fur
All
line.
mice and
rats are
good climbers,
first
naturalist to
take
One
of these nests
plaited,
perfectly
of
it
contained eight
As
this nest
was
how
it
lies
in
numbers
rickyards,
of
Perhaps it is owing to an entirely mistaken sense of gratitude that the Harvest Mouse in a rick does not hibernate.
16
GNAWING ANIMALS
226
DORMOUSE
(Muscardinus avellanarius).
Plate
XXIV.
Fig.
i.
Although belonging to another family we will here conCommon Dormouse, rather an elegant little animal
and a half inches in length, with a bushy tail
two
only
sider the
is not
a true mouse, but
It
quite as long.
to be about intermediate between the squirrels
appears
and the
to the temperate
and, for example,
it
is
is
Its tail is
Dormouse
it
is
'
'
specially
fattened the
little
table.
RATS
227
Any
XXIV.
rattus).
2.
Fig.
mouse with
still
widely dispersed.
The
and practically
one important particular from
hind feet can be turned right
round, and with the claws thus at the back the animal can
walk up a rough wall or fence, or come down it headforemost. Like most of the genus, it holds its food in its
lighter.
feet,
dirty
pale
flesh-colour
fore paws.
decumanus).
i.
SKULL OF THE
their
homes
in Eastern
GNAWING ANIMALS
228
Brown Rat
is
the
manner
which
in
it
than
It is
easy to understand
speedily become a pest in any
locality they particularly favour.
They excavate with a
persistence that often endangers the foundations of build-
how
it
is
these Rodents
ings ; they
resulting in
and
half-grown.
may
in
not only attack the meat, but will confine themselves to the
It has frequently occurred
best joints.
that, from a ship,
Brown Rats have obtained entry into an island, where
229
is
the
Brown
Rats
London
rat-catcher captured
several
sport for
however, only
fallen
victims
to
the rapacity
of
By morning,
day.
the black ones had
their
cannibal fellow-
prisoners.
Though
when brought
to bay.
It
will
defend
itself
to the last against man, and many cats and dogs will turn
tail at its desperate onslaught.
In some cases it has been
known
When
in search of food,
which numbers
human
GNAWING ANIMALS
2 3o
more than
English rats occasionally attain a weight of
four pounds and a length exceeding twenty-two inches. In
China they are fed up for food, and are hawked about for
Weighing as much as seven or eight pounds, they are
sale.
and the
rats
Modern
instrumental
The Rodent
conveyed
to
is
man by
fleas
which
The
is
fleas
FIELD VOLE
Plate
The
(Arvicola agrestis).
XXII. Fig.
i.
231
The head
is
It is
large in proportion and the body is stoutly built.
of a reddish-brown colour, changing to grey underneath.
The favourite resort of the Field Vole is damp meadows,
adjacent to
all
'
'
'
it
GNAWING ANIMALS
232
without taking into account the vast number that was eaten
by weasels, stoats, kites, hawks, owls, magpies, &c., which
district.
WATER VOLE
Plate
(Arvicola amphibius}.
XX.
Fig.
2.
The Water
Its
is
It will
'
buries
'
of
mangolds, and potatoes in fields near the riverbanks. But the animal is not so voracious as the common
rat, and it is also far less prolific.
Though English streams
are seldom, if ever, without the Water Vole, the animal is
not found in Ireland.
turnips,
MUSQUASH
(Fiber zibethicus}.
3.
It
presents
more
webbed.
The head
is
than
is
marked
its
size.
compressed,
The hind
feet
THE HAMSTER
there
is
no apparent neck.
233
The animal
furred to
is
its
stances.
and can
It
at the
that
HAMSTEE
Cricetus frumentarius)
6.
GNAWING ANIMALS
234
variation in colour,
The Hamster
is
burrowers. Its
elaborate construction.
The spacious dwelling-chamber is
one or even two yards deep, with an almost vertical hole
for an entrance and a gradually ascending tunnel for
an outlet. The males and females and young ones use
separate burrows as they do separate storehouses of these
last a male will sometimes construct three or four.
Breeding twice a year, with families of six to eighteen, in
favourable localities the Hamster increases rapidly and
;
LEMMING (Myodes
lemmus).
2.
Plate
9.
XIV.
Beaver
THE LEMMING
235
of
The hordes
of
Lemmings move
chiefly at night or in
The
early morning, and no obstacle can deter them.
in
their
flame
course
is
licked
as
herbage
up
though by
growing crops disappear with heart-breaking rapidity,
corn-ricks are reduced to heaps of chaff. They swim rivers
and lakes they swarm through towns, filling wells and
;
Lemming
fever.'
All
of
Lemmings
is
fell
called
on
that
will abate a
Vole plague.
GNAWING ANIMALS
236
name
The Mole
:
Rat, ranging
to
XXV.
Fig.
i) of Syria
(Dipus
cegypticus).
The Jerboa
for
it
is
of rather
found
is
in
Central
Europe,
Ceylon
from
the
wide
habitat,
South-east of
and
India,
Asia,
and
Syria
8.
Arabia
it
Its
body.
regions,
generally of
animal's most
is
SKELETON OF THE
JERBOA.
home
and the
a
legs.
The
sand colour.
marked
disparity in length
hind
largely in desert
of the Jerboa
is
fur
is
the
fore
and
feature
between
its
of the hind
foot are well developed, but the sole is fitted with elastic
pads. The hind limbs alone are used for progression, an d
THE PORCUPINE
237
it
seem
branching
galleries, into
which they
retreat
at
the least
(Pedetes caffer).
Jumping Hare
will
clear as
much
as thirty feet at a
leap.
PORCUPINE-LIKE RODENTS.
(Hystrix
cristata).
3.
meaning
of
which
is
'
spiky
pig.'
Porcupine, the
literal
The common
species is
fore part of the
hedgehog.
GNAWING ANIMALS
238
'
humour
leopard,
feline
would think
little
of the
wound.
But
try as
it
will the
work
its
way
further
and further
into
would seem
to indicate.
It is as quick on its feet as it is
sharp of eye and three or four natives armed with spears
can rarely despatch the animal without their bare legs
;
showing traces
at its defenceless
New World
Porcupines are
Plate
XXV.
Fig. 2,
is
PLATE XXIV.
i.
DORMICE.
(See page 226)
2.
BLACK RAT.
(See
page 227)
3.
CHIPMUNK.
(See
page 216)
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE
i.
SPINY MOUSE.
(See page 236)
2.
XXV
TREE PORCUPINE.
V1SCACHA.
3.
(Photos
W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
THE CHINCHILLA
but
its
States.
239
The Urson
Porcupine
animal
is
(Chinchilla
lanigera).
The
Chinchilla
exclusive of
long.
It
is
its
is
only about
tufted
tail,
which
an elegant, active
little
2.
inches in length,
four or five inches
creature, with its hind
ten
is
legs
elevations, as
do
The
very fine
clean creature.
texture,
the
Chinchilla
Its agility is
The
natives in
is
remarkable, and
of
rock with
hunting the
little
particularly
it darts up
the
utmost
creature call
GNAWING ANIMALS
2 4o
Of
several
somewhat
Chinchilla proper.
It
of Southern
at the least
all
dart
(Dasyprocta aguti).
The
7.
size of a rabbit
ments
or
it
is
not at
all
Golden, Agouti
will
The Common,
an example
as
of
any
member
out
all
The animal
from the
of
its
home
is
of Brazil,
is
tip of
tail,
and
its
nose to
its
its
slender legs.
Its
in colour, the longer hairs on the hind quarters merging
into a shade of bright orange.
THE GUINEA
The food
ing animals.
PIG
241
When
of sugar
uncommon
PIGS).
(Cavia cobaya).
i.
'
as
many
is
exceedingly
prolific,
producing
litters
as ten
three months.
second
gence,
cleanly,
nor
set of
evinces
to bite those
17
little intelliit
is
very
who handle
it.
GNAWING ANIMALS
242
CAP YEAR A
(Hydrochcerus capybara}.
5.
shown
short of a
it
much
it
will barely
The Capybaras
to
heads.
sportive capers.
The
Capybara, but
it is
DOUBLE-TOOTHED RODENTS
FAMILY LEPORID^E (HARES AND RABBITS).
Sub-Order
2.
HARE
(Lepus Europceus).
6.
THE HARE
An
243
description save
comparison with some thirty other species, most of
which are confined to the Northern Hemisphere. In the
whole of South America, for example, there is but the
so well-known requires
animal
little
for
Brazilian Hare.
reddish-brown
in
The
tail.
sub-order,
viz.,
full-sized
All the
animal
will
members
their
means
their
is
sole
of defence
speed.
than
the
sound;
and
prominent,
to be
JAWS OF THE HARE.
open even when
the animal is asleep.
In any case they are placed so that
to a great extent the animal can see backwards while it
and
is
said
by
night, during
'
the
For one
of the
common
people
GNAWING ANIMALS
244
The
best
known
The Hare
often
contributes to
in
sport
other
ways.
When
its
earlier efforts
but
it
It
will
sheep
run up one side of a hedge and down the other
it will swim a stream
and it has been known to gain the
top of a newly cut hedge and then to run along it for a
considerable distance to throw its pursuers effectually off
it
will
the scent.
No dog
it
snakes leave
eyes open.
The
'
THE RABBIT
when
the cud,
constant
it
its
down
endeavour to keep
245
growth of the
incisor teeth.
vast
it,
the fur of
the fur
is
animals
is
best
known
in trade circles.
WILD RABBIT
(Lepus cuniculus).
The Rabbit
4.
is less
length between
wild Rabbit are only about as long as the head, and they
are tipped with black. The fur is greyish-brown, becoming
whitish on the under parts ; the tail is rather large and conspicuous, brown above and white below, and it is usually
held upright. Notwithstanding their marked similarity,
the Rabbit and the hare are very distinct, never associating
with bushes
'
the burrows of
to
warren.'
GNAWING ANIMALS
246
they played
not proving a cure, but rather an additional
nuisance. Attempts to exterminate the Rabbits by infecting
them with disease germs had to be abandoned, because
some of the domestic animals were liable to infection.
Some areas had to be given over altogether to the Rabbit,
and everywhere cultivated tracts had to be protected by
wire
rabbit - proof
New Zeafencing.
colonists,
same
troublesome
experience.
Nowadays we hear
less
of
pest,
but
that
the
Rabbit
we do know
New South
Wales and
Victoria,
in a single year, export to the Mother
Country twenty
size.)
millions of
Rabbits,
or
tinned,
frozen
account.
The
flesh of the
and enormous
Rabbit
quantities
is
come
food,
into the British market in
England
THE RABBIT
247
TAME
BABBIT.
Of the tame Rabbit there are at least a dozen well-recognised varieties, which were probably derived from as many
different countries.
They vary considerably in colour,
which is a common feature in animals that have been
called
One
from a wild
an
and strongest
state to lead
of the hardiest
artificial life.
of fancy Rabbits
is
the
Dutch
are white.
else, is
one
than any-
The head
is
broad and massive the creature's eyes are pink and the
and well tufted. The beautiful, silky white
coat needs to be parted along the back and brushed
;
downwards on
tangled.
pounds.
The
and
tail,
where
it
retains
GNAWING ANIMALS
24 8
the spotlessness of
its
when it is cooped up
The Flemish Giant
pounds.
It
PIKA.
Europe.
rabbit.
list
prey upon
it.
Chapter IX
ORDER
VI.
UNGULATA
(HOOFED ANIMALS)
SUB-ORDER I. HYRACOIDEA
SUB-ORDER 2. PROBOSCIDEA (PROBOSCIS
BEARERS)
SUB-ORDER 3. PERISSODACTYLA (ODD-
TOED ANIMALS)
the
of
General
Ungulata
description
i.
Sub-order
Syrian Hyrax
Hyracoidea
SubSub-order 2. Proboscidea
Elephant
order 3. Perissodactyla General description
of Rhinoceros family Indian Rhinoceros
Other Asiatic species African Rhinoceros
Tapirs
CHAPTER
IX
ITorder,
is available; and
always in thinly
peopled countries the natives largely supply the family larder
with the flesh of animals that are found in their particular
But civilised man, and even the savage more often
region.
than not follows his example, rears vast numbers of cattle,
sheep, goats, and pigs, wherewith to meet the demand for
flesh, which forms an important part of the daily food.
are
all
the pig and the peccary, include the largest of all the
mammals, save only the whale and the sea elephant. All
the clean animals belong to the order, i.e., those which
chew the cud and divide the hoof.' So do some of
the animals which were unclean under the Jewish law,
but since we have been liberated from the Mosaic law by
'
'
'
'
'
Him who
'
is
Latin
word
HOOFED ANIMALS
252
These
ungula, which signifies a nail, claw, or hoof.
animals fall rather easily into various smaller groups or
sub-orders.
Sub-Order
HYRACOIDEA
i.
FAMILY HYRACIDjE.
SYRIAN HYRAX (Hyrax syriacus}.
Coloured Plate XIII. Fig.
The Hyrax
is
a remarkable
puzzled zoologists.
Rodents, and in its
little
8.
mammal
It
appeared to be well qualified for the position.
thickto
the
or
related
so
is, however,
Pachyderms,
nearly
skinned animals, that some naturalists would unite it with
the elephant in a single order of their own.
Place a Hyrax and an elephant side by side and apparently no two animals could less resemble each other.
ance,
it
The Hyrax,
rabbit
and
in size
it
lives
the
among
the
'
'
'
'
above.
the
Dutch
'
THE ELEPHANT
253
Klip-das or
entirely arboreal.
Sub-Order
2.
PROBOSCIDEA
(PROBOSCIS BEARERS)
2.
INDIAN ELEPHANT.
Plate
The Elephant,
XXVI.
Fig. 2.
once distinguished by
its
size,
even
if
it
mammals,
is
at
unique
in the
animal world.
it
prac-
HOOFED ANIMALS
254
The
nostrils
and upper
lip of
drawn out
owner than
The
of a
is
the prehensile
loss of the
little
of
tail
its
places food in
The
trunk.
mouth
its
It
;
it
no less remarkable. It
and
the
canines,
incisors, limited to two in
the upper jaw, are often enormously developed until they
assume the form so well known as tusks; they are deeply
embedded in the massive skull, and as the tusk is worn
teeth of the Elephant are
possesses no
Few
?
;
it
can stand on
on the
lie
its
down, or
hind
rise again,
feet alone, or
on
Asiatic
THE ELEPHANT
255
and
it
was
and the
upon which
it
HOOFED ANIMALS
256
took
The
that their life-history may be taken at the same time.
ears of an Elephant are at once a sure indication of its
those of the African animal are of enormous size,
completely covering the shoulders, and their tips falling
below the neck, while the ears of the Indian species are
comparatively small. The African Elephant is darker in
species
Asiatic relative.
The molar
in the
They
INDIAN
LOWER MOLAR.
all in
only
are never
however
use,
The
solid,
of a
number of
set side
African
distinctly
teeth are
but consist
not
by
plates
side.
As
diamond-shaped
aspect,
immense
proportions.
As a
do not
Plate
1.
2.
XV.
Rhinoceros
African Elephant
THE ELEPHANT
257
exceed nine
feet in
from the
twenty-six feet
;
favourite at the Zoo, was eleven and a half feet high and
weighed six and a half tons. He was of the African species,
and as he was reared in captivity it is not unreasonable to
It is
said
met with,
at the
same time.
The two
and weigh anything up to 235 Ibs. A tusk of these dimensions is the exception and not the rule. Animal for animal,
African tusks are not only larger, but the ivory
is
of better
quality.
from
It
it
prefers to feed
strips the leaves
HOOFED ANIMALS
258
up succulent
roots.
In any case
herd, not adopting a lonely life from choice.
are
almost
and
they
invariably fierce
quarrelsome, and the
particular region they favour is best avoided by human
beings who have no desire to make a strenuous fight for
life.
immense damage
War
(B.C.
with nearly forty Elephants trained to warfare, finally crossing the Alps and inflicting defeat upon the Romans at
Ticinus. The Romans used the Elephant chiefly for the
purposes of sport in the arena, and it is told of Pompey
THE ELEPHANT
259
made
Powerful and
war
stores in
regions almost inaccessible to ordinary conveyance. Bearing a load equal to that of sixteen bullocks, it can subsist
upon leaves, whereas horses and bullocks require large
amounts of fodder to be carried for their sustenance. The
short, broad feet of the Elephant are well adapted for pro-
gress in
it
game
of
Empire-making.
In the
down
reached them
There
is
often
the
HOOFED ANIMALS
260
and a
a walk
it
its
com-
career
pletely.
attributed to
it.
can, by means
of the finger-like
It
pick
processes,
up
as
an
object
small as a
needle,
animal
but the
is
too
of
the
value of
its
sensible
trunk to attempt
to
raise
heavy
and
SECTION OF THE SKULL OF THE INDIAN ELEPHANT.
s,
Air sinuses
or tusks.
Nostrils
b,
Brain
m, Molar
/,
In harness, of course,
Tusk.
it
in
moving
weighty objects
^ Always pUSheS
again St
with the
them
head
can exert enormous
power.
The
out of
all
make
itself
useful.
retentive there
is
no room
THE ELEPHANT
261
of
return
mature.
narrow
The
at
soothing
until
it
allows
itself
to
be conducted to a
its
flesh
HOOFED ANIMALS
262
its
as
is
wounds upon
it.
is
hide.
And even
Elephant
The
is
THE ELEPHANT
Asiatic
263
is
well-nigh
impenetrable.
Mr. Burchell, in his Travels, relates an incident well
Carel Krieger,
illustrating the danger of Elephant-hunting.
a fearless hunter, with his party, closely pursued an animal
which they had only wounded. The infuriated beast
had
who
trunk, the
Seizing
victim on high, and dashed him
The maddened beast
force to the ground.
raised
terrific
the person
him with
Elephant
with
then
down upon
its
its
it
literally
until
When
wounded Elephant,
He was
first
In a
moment
HOOFED ANIMALS
264
wounded
Fortunately the
beast, which was a female, either thought he was dead, or
she was anxious to return to her calf, and she left him to
recover from as narrow an escape as can well be con-
ribs.
ceived.
hope
to
go through.
With
screaming
like a
much
bigger;
Edmund
THE ELEPHANT
265
compare
Within the
undergone
regions,
last
two
of
the
game laws
are
exceedingly
HOOFED ANIMALS
266
Sub-Order
3.
PERISSODACTYLA (ODD-TOED
ANIMALS)
'
'
two.
skin,
when
from which
it
the skull
may be
it
simply
The
family
is
restricted to the
THE RHINOCEROS
267
the skin
to indulge in
The animal
mud
is
vegetable.
Notwithstanding
its
apparently
clumsy
shape,
the
Rhinoceros
When
is
hunting
swift
the
of
foot
Keitloa
to an unexpected degree.
Rhinoceros of Africa, Sir
when
it
appears to be disabled.
HOOFED ANIMALS
268
INDIAN RHINOCEROS
(Rhinoceros unicornis).
i.
animal
King of
An
average sized
Portugal, as early as the year 1513.
feet at the
a
half
and
animal has a height of about five
shoulders, with the body over eight feet in length from
the tip of the snout to the root of the short-tufted tail,
which
The
inches
teeth
is
imply that
jungles,
where
thirty feet.
The elephant
the Rhinoceros.
is
often
On
called
a single
into
service
animal the
in hunting
hunter tracks
his quarry to
and the
Rhinoceros, and
certain
it
is
that
the
larger
THE RHINOCEROS
animal will
encounter.
generally
retreat
269
without
hazarding
an
The capture
its
larger
antagonist.
Several
powder, that
diseases.
is
considered
sure
remedy
for
certain
HOOFED ANIMALS
2 7o
The Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondiacus) is considerably more gentle, and is not infrequently tamed by the
Malays. The female of this species is almost invariably
hornless.
AFRICAN RHINOCEROS.
In the several African species the skin flaps are absent,
The
hide being practically naked and smooth.
commonest of them is the Black Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros
It is
bicornis) ; it is also called the Borele or Rhinaster.
the
The
THE RHINOCEROS
271
the
is
It
ceros (Rhinoceros simus), is the largest of the group.
an
has
stands six or seven feet high at the shoulder, and
extreme length of sixteen to seventeen feet. Though it is
a
paler brown than other species, it is often
only
slightly
called the
White Rhinoceros.
Fortunately, it is not a
front horn is sometimes
long,
sesses
one
English
is
feet
W. Gordon Gumming
2\
inches
traveller
in
length.
pos-
An
by a Mochuco.
the animal, which, instead of retreat-
He had wounded
ing,
Colonel
while
that
killed
its
mounted enemy. The
and when the Rhinoceros charged,
horse refused to
stir,
oswelli),
possesses
still
longer
horn.
When
firearms
length, were
horns.
from
cut
single
frequently
Among the animals mentioned in the Scriptures, there
is one introduced under the name of Reem, or Unicorn.
feet
in
To
tusks, there
Two men
bagged no
in a single excursion
less
;
HOOFED ANIMALS
272
on the verge
of extinction in
there
is
little
many long
years to come.
FAMILY TAPIRID^E
as
(TAPIRS).
extinct
much
said
night
fruits.
to
feed
on
and
leaves
is
FORE
(A)
mal
it
is
will
fight
The
desperately.
PLATE XXVI.
i.
AMERICAN TAPIR.
2.
INDIAN ELEPHANT.
(See
page 253)
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE XXVII.
I.
FOALS.
2.
CART HORSE.
This
is
(Tapirus americanus).
XXVI.
commonest and
the
Fig.
feet
animal, five
thick,
is
best
i.
known
found chiefly
American species.
Brazil and neighbouring countries.
It
273
South
of the five
the forests of
in
is
a powerful
It
massive
with
a
body and a
length,
in
surmounted by a stiff
is
most part a solitary life, amid
through which it makes its way,
mane.
It
leads
for
the
the
fall
native hunter.
impossible to
firearms
its
it
was
stout cover-
natural enemy.
if
his
its
the
MALAYAN TAPIR
(Tapirus indicus).
The
found
Asiatic Tapir
in the
is
4.
It is
HOOFED ANIMALS
274
known
to
call
for
will arise
important points
particular species.
HORSE (Equus
caballus).
2,
Plate
XXVII.
True Horses are represented by one common and wellspecies, from which all other varieties are
established
Plate
XVI.
l.Wild Ass
2.
Horse
THE HORSE
descended.
275
its
own
and
nevertheless
but
in
and
even
colour,
possessing
shape,
every point that marks the true Horse.
If the reader compare the skeleton of the Horse with that
purely
of the
artificial distinctions,
chapter, he
will
find
that
it
size
animal described in
this
own
The
tells
its
story.
muscles upon the hind legs while the series of curves into
which the whole structure can be resolved shows the design
of the Creator to make it elastic from the head to the toes.
Look along the spine, for example, and you will see that
the vertebral processes are directed backwards from the
shoulder nearly to the centre of the back.
Beginning from
;
HOOFED ANIMALS
276
development
is
arrested,
is
invariably the
others
and the
first
are
in
which
modified
to
the
Horse
Eocene epoch
Eohippus,
i.e.,
the
to
Dawn
What, then, is
must transport ourselves
the animal termed the
was little
It
the Horse.
We
find
of
The
the end of the radius, and below it the carpal bones, i.e.,
those of the wrist. One projects beyond the others, and
this is the rudimentary thumb.
Below the carpal bones is
a stout and straight bone, called the cannon bone. It is
is composed of the third and fourth
which
are
fused together. At the side of the
metacarpals,
cannon bone may be seen a slight, elongated bone, with
another of the same dimensions on the opposite side.
These are the second and fifth metacarpals (i.e., the first and
THE HORSE
little
fingers),
and
are of
no
practical
277
utility.
They
are
The next
three joints, which constitute the pastern, are the phalanges, or finger-joints of the
third and fourth fingers.
So we see that the so-called knee
called the splint bones.
end
Horse
is
its
wrist,
and
that the
hand begins
at the
of the radius.
HOOFED ANIMALS
278
good leverage
Achilles.
Then come
with those of the fore-foot that they are scarcely distinguishable from each other.
It is a remarkable fact that foals are
sometimes born with traces of as many as four toes, some
with one or other of the splint
So the reader
third
toes of
The hoof
the foot.
beautifully
built
constructed,
is
up
by no
less
of
required
it.
The hoof
Horse
of the
in a wild
wears, but
grows
domesticated animals require an
iron shoe to protect the foot on
hard roads.
Like the nails of
human beings, the horny substance of the hoof may be pared
FROG OF THE HORSE'8 HOOF. without causing pain unless the
and thus it is
quick be reached
an easy matter for a blacksmith to fit and fix a horse-shoe.
The V-shaped formation on the under side of the hoof must
never be cut away, for unless the 'frog,' as it is called,
touches the ground, the hoof loses all its elastic qualities.
state
'
as fast as
it
'
below
numbers
above and
THE HORSE
279
A. Thirty days.
D. Eight years.
C. Six years.
F. Thirty years.
end
termed,
is
But when
this
'
mark,' as
teeth afford
no
is technically
further definite
it
indications of age.
It is doubtful if any real wild species is now in existence.
True, there are still herds of so-called wild Horses in Africa
and in Western and Central Asia ; but there appears little
reason to doubt that they are but the descendants of
HOOFED ANIMALS
280
comes
In disposition it
is marked by a stripe on the back.
wild and fiery in the extreme, and is only caught by
the Tartar hunters lassoing it
or chasing it with trained
falcons that flutter around the animal's head to distract its
attention from the hunter.
The Horse is frequently mentioned in the Bible in a
coat
is
manner
that denotes
in
improved
varieties.
Normans paid
particular
attention
to
horse-breeding,
work
generally.
work,
if
cular neck
racer.
is
from
and
viz.,
mus-
and stouter
legs than a
for a horse of this type
THE HORSE
281
an hour for
six hours.
Of
but
its
its
wayman
morning.
In
man whose
life
had saved.
is
HOOFED ANIMALS
282
its
shot.
the boundless
pampas
are
enormous numbers
of Horses,
its
fore hoofs
at
THE HORSE
less close quarters
effect.
The Gauchos,
it
kicks out
its
283
terrific
and
much
the
'
HOOFED ANIMALS
284
made
purposes.
tceniopus).
i.
Inhabiting
more
Wild
Ass, in
at varying elevations
that a herd of as
encountered,
foals.
THE ASS
The animal
285
is
remarkable for
ability to keep
of relays of horses
and
fleet
it is
by no means
Wild
certain that a
is
which
principally bluishin
but
the
ears
are
colour,
grey
longer, the mane shorter,
and the tail less haired than in the Asiatic species. 'The
inhabits
animal in
its
It
is
Samuel Baker,
'
is
the
a high-bred
when
it
trots
freely over the rocks and sand, with the speed of a horse.
When it gallops freely over the boundless desert, no animal
more difficult to approach, and, although they are frequently captured by the Arabs, those taken are invariably
the foals, which are ridden down by fast dromedaries,
while the mothers escape.'
In the regions which it inhabits the flesh of the Wild
Ass is held in considerable esteem, the Tartars and the
Persians preferring it to almost any other meat. The skin
is
which
preparation.
asinus).
There appears
to
be
little
2.
is
the African
HOOFED ANIMALS
286
it
duction
in
good
its
will
the
rode
King
of Israel.
Ass
is
footedness making
horses,
mules
'
is
called a
Plate
XVII.
THE ZEBRA
287
ZEBRA (Equus
Zebra).
3.
The
in
remote
country which
it
inhabits.
cause for alarm the animals are off like the wind.
BurchelPs Zebra (Equus burchelli) is a native of the
plains to the north of the Kalihari desert and in the
Zambesi regions. It is a little taller than the last named,
and in colour it is more yellowish-brown the greater part
of the legs is white, without the dark stripes, or at best only
faint ones.
It is
strong and muscular, and its bony limbs
;
other
of
HOOFED ANIMALS
288
attracts
their
attention.
startled
'They combine
man
or beast
cular
in
from
attack either
cir-
features
of
two
the
foregoing
species.
Its
common
stripes
are
its long
Zebra
mane and well-haired tail more nearly resemble Burchell's
Zebra.
Though Grevy's Zebra will at times mix with
QUAGGA
(Equus quaggd).
The Quagga,
formerly found
i.
zebra, was
slightly smaller than the
in immense herds in the South African
effect
its
capture.
Though
fierce
for
in
its
native
in captivity.
Quite
hunting
to zebra
it
for
food
and Quagga
lion
was very
partial
Chapter
ORDER
VI.
SUB-ORDER
UNGULATA
(continued)
GROUP LRUMINANTIA
20
Ruminants
Family Bovidae
Gaur
Oxen
true
Hollow-horned Ruminants
Domestic Ox Zebu Wild
:
European Bison
Gayal -- Banting
American Bison
Yak
Indian
Cape Buffalo Anoa Musk OxSheep and Goats Domestic Sheep Mouflon
Argali Pamir Wild Sheep Barbary Wild
Common Goat Angora
Bighorn
Sheep
Goat Kashmir Goat Ibex Markhor Tahr
Various Wild Goats Family Antilopidse
Gazelle Chamois
General description
Gemsbok Oryx Equine AnteSpringbok
Sable Antelope Waterbuck Eland
lope
Buffalo
Gnu
Prong-horned
Antelope Saiga
Hartebeest
Addax Royal Antelope Dik-Dik
Antelope Family Camelopardalidse: Giraffe
Ruminants
Solid-horned
Okapi
Family
General description Red Deer
Cervidae
Elk
Roe Deer
Reindeer
Fallow Deer
Nilgai
Antelope
Blesbok
Klipspringer
Kudu
Pampas
Deer
Deer
Chinese
CHAPTER X
Order VI.
Sub-Order
4.
Ungulata
(continued]
ARTIODACTYLA (EVEN-TOED
ANIMALS)
A RTIODACTYLA means
is
GROUP I.RUMINANTIA.
The Latin word rumen
and the
chew
title,
the cud
receptacle
mouth
signifies the
paunch
called
an animal,
mammals
of
Ruminantia,
given to those animals which
or ruminate, i.e. f first gather their food into a
is
the stomach
is
is
at rest.
it
to the
In most
which
is
HOOFED ANIMALS
29 2
'
STOMACH OF A RUMINANT.
marked
is
6.
to
THE PECORA
with
its
back or grinding
right to
teeth,
293
left.
literally
means
The butcher
'
'
marked
e,
and which
colour
juice
The
is
the scientific
secreted
is
rennet, with
cheese.
The
which milk
name
is
is
it
into
of the true
when
the
HOOFED ANIMALS
294
toes,
upon
of the fore
wanting.
The
developed, and though hoofed are little less than mere spurs.
In the camels and giraffes even these last are lacking.
Many, if not most, of the Ruminants possess horns on the
head, which may be either one of two distinct kinds. Those
of the deer tribe are not true horns, but antlers, composed of
the
same material
as
bone
The horn
shed annually.
of the
HOLLOW-HORNED RUMINANTS.
&c.)
Plate
1.
XVin.
2.
Merino Sheep
3.
Domestic Swine
4.
Sheep
5.
Cow and
Calf
Domestic Goat.
THE DOMESTIC OX
295
animals are
or
in
DOMESTIC OX
(Bos taurus).
The
Ox
5.
of
it
chase.
The domestication
creasing
man
toll of
meat would naturally cause a diminution in the numbers of the wild species
and upon this in 1348 came the Black
Death, in which animals suffered terribly,
of
though
in
a less
degree
than
human
beings.
Aurochs
diate ancestors
One
but
it
is
far
of the best
known herds
more
The animals
three centuries.
they exhibit
much
fierceness
when
pressed.
HOOFED ANIMALS
296
many
and are
in great
demand
for
summer
beef.
The
THE ZEBU
297
So much
is
make an appreciable
of another variety.
Of the Continental cattle
may
and
among
In
all
branch
also popular in
Denmark
The animal
Germany.
requires no
the statement that Holland and Denmark
in a large part of
testimony beyond
are
is
important
industrial
owns twenty-one
tralia
yet
and
New
rate
ZEBU
(Bos indicus}.
fifty
3.
HOOFED ANIMALS
298
Africa
and Madagascar.
are a large
hump upon
Its
its
distinguishing characteristics
withers, drooping ears, and a
the
very large dewlap. Its coat is generally exquisitely fine,
It
colour.
or
mouse
white
or
colour being cream
grey,
kneenever
seen
is
and
seldom seeks the shade,
standing
deep in water, as British cattle are so fond of doing in the
warm weather. There is a variety of breeds, with marked
our own
diversity in size, ranging from those equal to
mastiff.
larger breeds to others scarcely bigger than a
for riding
is
used
and
in
is
The Zebu gentle
disposition,
and
to in
an
earlier chapter.
in the streets
may
and decorated
it
with flowers.
WILD OXEN.
In many parts of the world, but especially in India,
Australia, and South America, are vast numbers of wild
cattle, that are but the descendants of domesticated species.
They
Aurochs
come
difficult to
animals
call
for
no mention
WILD OXEN
GAUR
The range
(Bos gaurus)
Gaur
of the
is
299
Malay Peninsula.
The Gaur is one
of
the
Ox
tribe
of
so
horned elephant.*
signifies
six feet high at the shoulder
'
its
full-grown
hide alone
male stands
is
a fair load
are flattened,
There
is
is
mainly
dark brown, merging into black with age ; the legs are
The thick hide that covers the shoulders
is largely used for native shields.
Living in herds of seldom more than a dozen animals,
the Gaur is shy and timid, and never visits the vicinity of
settlements or cultivated land. Considering its size the
animal is remarkably active, especially in the hilly and
wooded ground which it frequents. Fierce combats take
place between the bulls for the leadership of a herd ; but
even an old, solitary bull is really seldom dangerous to the
hunter, except from its first blind rush when surprised in its
chiefly white.
jungle
lair.
hill tribes
GAYAL
Plate
The
of the North-east.
(Bos frontalis).
XXIX.
Fig.
2.
of the
far as
Tenasserim.
the shoulder-ridge
It is
is less
is
Gaur
bigger.
HOOFED ANIMALS
300
The horns
agricultural labour.
The Kukis of the Chittagong region, in capturing the
animal, trade upon its liking for salt and a particular kind
of earth. Balls of these mixed substances are thrown down
wild ones,
caressed.
or sixth
who
in
to
is
able to drive
home
the
The Banting,
YAK
cattle of India.
(Bos grunniens}.
The Yak,
2.
link
Plate
XIX.
THE YAK
301
It is a short-legged, massive,
eighteen inches at the base.
the
black, silky hair being longest
shaggily-clothed animal,
on its shoulders, flanks, and thighs, ending in a bushy
white tail like that of a horse. In India the Yak's tail is
'
the
desolate
mountain
who
Yak under
severe penalties.
Hue and
and
lie
down
mountain pasturage
HOOFED ANIMALS
302
mountain
route between
only available
fuel.
BISONS.
a very distinct group of the Oxen
Their
distinguishing features are their massive
family.
withers
the
being much higher than the hindfronts,
the
general effect being heightened by the thicker
quarters,
hair
on the head, shoulders, and fore legs.
of
covering
EUROPEAN BISON
(Bos europczus).
i.
Bison
will
maintain
its
own
hungry
wolves.
33
But when
to preserve the species, with very good effect.
of
numbers
in
the
there was a revolution
refugees
country
fled to the forests, and they did not scruple to hunt the
Thirty years ago it was
hundred Bisons survived,
and they have gradually decreased, and the time is not far
distant when the European Bison will be added to the list
animals
preserved
for
food.
more than
six
of extinct animals.
AMERICAN BISON
Plate
The American
(Bos americanus).
XXVIII.
Fig.
i.
still
thousand pounds.
its shagginess the Bison appears to be of
than in reality is the case but the magnificent
dark-brown frontlet and beard, the shaggy coat of hair upon
the neck, hump, and shoulders, terminating at the knees in
a thick mass of luxuriant black locks, to say nothing of the
dense coat of finer fur on the body and hindquarters, give
to the species not only an apparent height equal to that of
the Gaur, but a grandeur and nobility of presence which
are beyond all comparison among ruminants/ These are
the words of Mr. Hornaday, than whom no one is better
Owing
to
greater size
'
Ox
member
of the
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 o4
to himself,
and
that he destroyed
He
it.
it
and
and the
birds.
The
destruction of a
large
number
facilitated
Once
by
Bisons
of
at
the
of
that
not using
lemmings or
hamsters
is
multitude of ponderous
was no mere figure of speech to say
were blackened with Bisons. Only as
early seventies a train on the Kansas
that
far
the
prairies
back as the
Pacific
Railway
and imposed
I.
AMERICAN BISOX.
2.
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.ZS.)
PLATE XXIX.
i.
2.
GAYAL.
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
305
and then
left to
decay.
century ago the American Bison
was one of the marvels of creation, in the multitude of
than
Less
its
half
individuals
in
annihilation
rapid
of
species
in the history of
of
The
huge quadrupeds
is
The
unprecedented
once mighty herds have been reduced to a mere handful of animals conserved by the United States Government
but with a species so
in the Yellowstone National Park
slow in natural increase it is but a question of time when
this great race of Oxen becomes but a memory.
;
BUFFALOES.
The
particulars
triangular.
The European
The animal
is
is
a native
of India.
INDIAN BUFFALO
The Indian
of
species,
the Buffaloes.
high
at
known
(Bos bubalus).
as the Arnee,
is
the largest
is
Museum
which account
it is often called
the Water Buffalo,
It
not infrequently chews the cud while immersed in water,
exposing little more than the head above the surface.
21
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 o6
The Arnee
and
easy in
its
mind when
in
and
and
and the tiger is by no means
the Buffalo's vicinity.
Hunting
considered the fiercest
it
will attack
Bovidae
is
The animal
beast.
any particular
CAPE BUFFALO
(Bos
caffer).
judge
to
be
The
worse.
chief
features
of
African
this
broad
muzzle,
ears,
large
manner
which
HORNS OF THE CAPE BUFFALO.
and
remarkable
the
bulls
in
in
the
the baSCS
horns
This horny helmet, from under which
twinkle little fierce eyes, gives the animal a lowering, sullen
aspect, in strict keeping with its real disposition.
Hunters sometimes assert that the Arnee will never charge
of
the
human
being
who
will face
it
is
restraint.
far
To
moment
to
lion.
307
marshy
It
is
thickets
a discon-
find a blindly
unreasoning animal,
dripping
bellowing with rage, suddenly
launching itself upon one without the slightest preliminary
warning. At other times a whole herd will be swept by
a frantic impulse, which sends the animals crashing through
the undergrowth with a recklessness that ensures the weaker
of them being trampled to death.
In chasing the Cape
Buffalo it behoves the hunter to beware of a wounded
certing
with
mud and
difficult to get
quarters.
The Cape
four legs.
It
hurt
It
no
cow
of
all
it
and nothing
like the
Though
flat
horny
horns
frontlet, there is
no doubt
that
it is
On
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 o8
and
its
barrel-like body,
its
antelope qualities.
its
MUSK OX
Plate
There
is
animal to
Ruminants.
(Ovibos moschatus).
XXX.
Fig.
i.
Musk Ox inhabited
309
tions
the outset.
The woolly
is
due
mentions a
several horns
removed from
her head.
It is,
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 io
while
we
in the Capra,
identification.
(Ovis
aries).
and
3.
when
a pastoral
life
was the
offered in
ritual
BONES OF THE
F
*THE SHEEP.
'
sacrifice
Lamb was
and as the
;
Antitype of these sacrifices Christ
is
God,
the
of
'
expressly called the Lamb of
the
sins
of
the
world
away
'
that taketh
Lamb
We may
spot.'
in
again.
An
311
ram
is
will lay
more or
Sheep-breeders every-
The covering
of the wild
Sheep consists
wool
at the roots,
the feathers of
much
some
as a coating of
birds.
down
lies
beneath
the hair has practically disappeared, while the wool has been
developed into the thick, soft fleece that contributes so
largely to the clothing of mankind.
Of all the breeds of Sheep, the Merino of Spain is noted
for the excellence of its wool.
Unfortunately the British
is unfavourable to its introduction into our own
country, but it has been transferred to many parts of the
world with excellent results. Australia at the time of its
climate
discovery possessed no
its
own.
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 i2
whereas in the
per head of the population
there is not one animal per head. New Zealand
first Sheep in 1840, and now there are twenty
fifteen
British Isles
received
its
humid
climate of Ireland
is
unfavourable to Sheep.
The
improvement
famous Spanish Sheep. Welsh Sheep thrive
on the sparse mountain pastures
they are small, but noted
fleeces of the
THE MOUFLON
313
The fat
support their specially weighty appendages.
for the
of
the
as
was
a
ordained
tail
part
peace-offering
to
Hebrews (Lev.
iii.
9).
MOUFLON
(Ovis musimori).
i.
of Corsica
Even
Sardinia.
if
we
felt
inclined to query
the relationship between the domestic species and this alerteyed mountain creature, the animals themselves are in no
Mouflon
and join a
flock of
lamb
deserted
will
seek
is
difficult
of
shots can
approach
hope
to
is
add
it,
it
is
that
to their bag.
HOOFED ANIMALS
3i4
various streaks
is
warmer
Mouflon keeps
on the young shoots
to
of
the higher elevations, living chiefly
the
season
of
cold
with
the
but
approach
Alpine plants;
the animal descends to the lower slopes and feeds mainly
grass.
It
as four or five
ARGALI
(Ovis ammon).
3.
In summer the
brown above and
curving downwards and then upwards. In the finer specithe horns attain a length of
forty-eight inches, with a
girth of twenty at the base. Even an animal of only average
mens
size carries a
The
Argali
same
particular
mountain
Plate
1.
2.
Chamois
XX.
Mouflon
3.
Argali
315
seldom descending lower than 12,000 feet, at which elevation only lichens are procurable, and even that poor food
is only available in the most exposed situations, where the
icy blasts have swept away the deep snow.
Travellers assert that the Argali can leap from a height of
thirty feet, alighting without the semblance of a stumble.
difficult
stalk.
but also
and
impossibility
to
approach
within
gunshot
without
the
also
known
as
famous
traveller
was the
first
The
is
a range.
Plate
of the
In appearance it
family found in the whole of Africa.
differs from any other
species in the possession of very
HOOFED ANIMALS
316
at least
long hair on the chest and fore legs. In one habit
members of the
it is very unlike any of the foregoing
In the face of danger it prefers to hide rather
family.
than take to immediate flight, and as its colour largely
approximates to
its
greatest difficulty.
is
(Copra hircus).
4.
female
and
an animal may
should be noted that
FOOT OF THE
,.
Goats generally the horns are less cylinGOAT.
drical than they are in the
sheep. Most Goats
are bearded
and all the males are marked by a peculiar,
almost offensive, odour, which is given off by a scent gland.
;
four horns.
possess
~
It
been domesticated
usually less
for
In
it nearly reaches the ground.
The
be
shade
between.
white
or
or
black
may
any
and
ears may be short and upright, or long and pendent
one
some
of
unlike
as
to
cause
the
are
so
altogether
types
to doubt that they belong to the same family.
colour
it
ibex.
It
many
In such cities as
Damascus
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 i8
customer
prefers.
Although, like the sheep, the Goat will feed upon grass or
hay, it has a decided liking for bark, and is in consequence
best kept where it can work no harm to the trunks of young
Goats have done much to exterminate shrubby
trees.
vegetation in Southern Syria, and have thus assisted to
keep the country in a desert condition. Goats were introduced into St. Helena in 1513. The result has been
were thinned, involving the total disvaluable trees, among which was the
appearance of
many
ebony.
The Goat
in fact,
it is
is
little
to
A selection
must serve
for the
ANGORA GOAT
Plate
of each,
whole family.
(Capra hircus,
XXX.
Fig.
var.}.
2.
THE IBEX
319
KASHMIR GOAT
The Kashmir Goat
is
(Capra
really
hircus, var.).
most abundant
in Tibet
and
IBEX (Capra
ibex).
Fig.
i.
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 2o
Of
all
European Alps.
best
In one sense
it
is
known
it
Piedmont side of Monte Rosa, where the Italian Government has protected it from complete extermination. Wild
Goats as a rule frequent more rugged country than even the
wild sheep the Pamir Sheep is found at a height of 20,000
feet, but even then it is still in comparatively open country.
The Ibex stands about three and a half feet high. Its
rather harsh hair is a deep hoary brown in summer, and
;
It is
1
'
its
on
its
it
PLATE XXX.
I.
MUSK
OX.
2.
ANGORA GOATS.
(See page 318)
PLATE XXXI.
i.
TAHR.
2.
MARKHOR.
(Photos W. S. Berridge, F.Z.S.)
ASIATIC GOATS
321
will
to a place of safety.
MARKHOR
Plate
(Capra falconeri).
XXXI.
Fig.
2.
The Markhor,
few turns.
the wall of
its
pen.
The Tahr,
XXXI.
Himalayan
Fig.
i.
Goat-like animal,
22
one of
from the
is
HOOFED ANIMALS
322
falls
down
precipices,
or Caucasian
species
more
fully described.
This
includes
is
to the mastiff or
them
are
Newfoundland dog.
The majority
and
is
excellent
of
and
in
many
other.
it
is
one
is
323
teeth,
close.
all the Antelopes inhabit open plains, eating
and
other
grass
vegetable food. They are as fleet as the
wind, and as their speed is their only defence, they are
endowed with sight, hearing, and smell to perfection,
allowing them to perceive the ^approach of enemies while
they are yet at a distance. There are many regions,
particularly in South Africa, where Antelopes once roamed
practically undisturbed, but as these tracts are more and
more opened up to civilisation and human society advances,
the Antelopes retreat to the still further wilds and solitudes.
Practically
CHAMOIS
(Rupicapra tragus}.
2.
The Chamois is sometimes classed with the goats, sometimes with the Antelopes, while some zoologists prefer
to separate it into a distinct group.
It
may best be
accepted as the only Antelope of Europe, being an inhabitant of the Alps, Carpathians, Greece,
HOOFED ANIMALS
324
and
The
they suddenly curve backwards into a hook.
hoofs are concave at the base, there being a projecting edge
on the outside admirably adapted to avail itself of any
when
that the
crown
piece.
The Chamois
snow.
When
feeding
is
leather,
often called
wash or
buff
leather,
which
THE GAZELLES
GAZELLE
325
(Gazella dorcas).
The
is
one
3.
'
i.e.,
ix.
a Gazelle,
who was
It
has a very
36, &c.).
many
grace,
and gentleness
by poetical
and
in all ages
it
its
swiftness,
writers.
The
The hind-
mainly white.
The
face
is
curiously
marked with two stripes, one dark and one light. Its eyes
are large, soft, and lustrous.
Its whole appearance well
harmonises with its customary desert surroundings. The
horns seldom exceed thirteen inches in length. The legs of
the animal are as slender as a reed, by which it is enabled
to skim over the ground almost like a bird, often taking
of a yard in height as it pursues its rapid flight.
wild beast ever attempts to catch it in open chase it
can only be struck down by stealing upon it unobserved.
The graceful creature is easily tamed, and is always a great
leaps
Xo
favourite in Syria.
The Indian Gazelle
is
Tame
desert
;
and
regions.
it
is
no
HOOFED ANIMALS
3*6
SPRINGBOK
This animal
its
(Gazella fachore).
is
South Africa,
name from
gaining
eight, or sometimes as
as twelve feet
many
name means
up seven or
when
it
is
in
Its specific
now found
is
numbers.
colour and horns
in greatest
as to
lie close, so
a great measure the
snowy stripe ; but as soon as the
animal leaps, the long white patch
becomes visible, and has rather a
the
of
fold
conceal
in
startling effect.
The most
the
interesting part of
the Springbok
of
history
to
occasional
its
desert regions
it
inhabits,
migrations
when
in a
more
fertile
plains
whereon
to rear the
Gordon Cumming
first
of these
measuring
These moving
and
are
of such vast
trekbokken/
they
at least half a
'
mile in width.
'
..
.vsvtv
Plate
XXI.
4.\Vaterbuck
THE GEMSBOK
327
dimensions that a lion which has tried to snatch a Springbok out of a herd has been unable to extricate himself, and
in the most humiliating manner has been obliged to march
with the herd, unable even to feed upon any of the animals
which pressed him on every side. A flock of sheep has
trekbokken and
also been enveloped in one of these
'
'
carried
off.
of the
Springbok are
in
an
GEMSBOK
There are
of
(Oryx gazella).
run from the horns, enveloping the eye and reaching nearly
The
Gems-
HOOFED ANIMALS
328
plants,
one of which
The Gemsbok
it
is
is
frequently run
is
known
as the water-root.
than
down by means
many
of
its
of horses
kind, and
and dogs.
Very closely
Antelopes.
Africa,
is
equinus).
2.
allied to the
The Roan,
typical of
or
genus.
high
It is
at the shoulders.
;
THE WATERBUCK
3*9
the face are very distinctive. The horns, curving and ridged,
on the average seldom exceed three feet, but in specially
fine animals will run to another half-dozen inches.
of the
animal.
Says
Gordon Gumming,
'
shall never
my
WATERBUCK
view.
(Cobus ellipsiprymnus}.
4.
an excellent example.
Standing four
feet
high
more at the withers, the animal is principally reddishbrown in colour, with an elliptical patch of white on the
hindquarters, and small patches of the same colour adorn
the face. The hair is long and coarse. The horns vary
or
selecting
swampy
plains,
HOOFED ANIMALS
33 o
where the
tall
grass
when
The
of cover.
disturbed.
It
is
can
peculiarity of the Water Antelopes that as long as they
to
not
do
water
bottom the
swim, splashing
attempt
they
along in a series of bounds. Not infrequently they stand
in water
up
The Sing-Sing
plants.
(Cobus defassa)
a rather smaller
is
ELAND
Taurotragus oryx)
The Eland,
Standing
2.
or Impoofo,
is
The
of South Africa
tration
may darken
to
bluish grey.
From
hair.
project two
the head,
light,
graceful,
and bony,
strong,
Cape Colony,
vaal
but
it is
Natal,
fairly
Orange River Colony, and the Transcommon in Nyassaland and the Kili-
manjaro region.
is very tender, even when fresh
valued for many purposes, and the
marrow is one of the greatest dainties for which a hunter
can wish.
The animal quite commonly weighs twelve
hundred pounds, while old bulls will approach two
thousand pounds ; these heavy animals are rather easily
ridden down. At one time this Antelope was introduced
The
flesh of the
Eland
Plate
XXH.
THE GNU
331
for
it
its
flesh,
but
an unprofitable
it
undertaking.
GNU
(Connocheetes gnu).
i.
The two
looking
species of Gnu are certainly the strangestthe Antelopes, and they well deserve their
name 'Wildebeest/ which is gained for them
of
common
menageries
it
is
generally advertised
as
the
'
Horned
then
it
enemy
to the sky
then
HOOFED ANIMALS
332
is
as
as
wary
is
it
half that
number.
NILGAI
(Boselaphus tragocamelus)
Plate
The
Nilgai, or
Blue
XXXII.
Ox
Fig.
2.
Antelopes. The
females are usually tawny red in colour, while the males are
generally slate blue, the under parts being darker and the
legs nearly black.
Very old bulls are nearly quite black.
at the shoulders, is the largest of the Asiatic
White
lines,
fetlock,
are
hornless.
grazes and browses, and, like the giraffe, seizes leaves and
other food with its tongue, instead of its lips. The animal
is shy and wary, and to effect its
capture considerable woodcraft is necessary.
In the open it can be hunted on horse-
It
is
difficult
and
PLATE XXXII.
i.
YOUNG PRONGHORN
2.
NILGAI ANTELOPE.
(Photos
THE PRONGBUCK
333
It
places.
it
will get
is
PRONG-HORNED ANTELOPE
Plate
(Antilocapra americana).
XXXII.
Fig.
i.
or Prongbuck,
is
one of
the very few species found in the New World. The horns
of the animal, as indicated in its name, are branched, and
they are shed every year. In these two respects it differs
from
all
The
about three
is
shoulder.
head high,
its
coat
is
feet
built,
in
height at the
and carrying
its
The
its
flattened
from side
to
side,
bending backwards
at their
From about
tips.
HOOFED ANIMALS
334
to the utmost.
The
any
difficulty in getting
ostrich in
to
it
of himself.'
The
MISCELLANEOUS ANTELOPES.
Of the remaining Antelopes can be
briefly
mentioned, in
is
in
common
The
goat.
Klipspringer
(Oreotragus saltator),
Plate
ground, as signified
in
XXXIII.
name,
Fig. i, prefers rocky
which means 'rock jumper.' The animal ranges from Cape
Colony through most of East Africa to Abyssinia, in which
its
The
five inches long, which bend forward at their tips.
skin of the legs, with the little hoof attached, is frequently
used by the Kaffir belles as an anklet or bracelet.
The Kudu
regions
as
(Strepsiceros
the
last-named.
It
VARIOUS ANTELOPES
small Eland, though the horns are often
the larger animal, some
much
335
longer than
in
specimens
five
over
measuring
the
feet
curve.
along
Captain Harris considered it
to be the most majestic in its
carriage of
all
the Antelopes.
Kudu
No
The animal
its
horns.
still
make
As the
is only the
not very likely to die out. This
applies equally to several other species, which are hunted
only with the greatest difficulty, for if the Antelopes concerned can exist without drinking, the horses necessary to
its
escape.
it is
HOOFED ANIMALS
33 6
engage
'
of the natural
popular with
size of
this
tiny Antelope,
which
Gardens.
is
most
PLATE XXXIII.
i.
KLIPSPRIXGER.
(See fage 334)
2.
BEATRIX ANTELOPE.
(See page 328)
(Photo W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE XXXIV.
i.
DIK-DIK ANTELOPE.
(See
2.
ADDAX ANTELOPE.
page 336)
(Photo
W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
337
(Giraffa camelopardalis).
The
are
Giraffes
'
'
varieties.
The Giraffe
is
the tallest of
all
deep body
greater elevation
appearance of
difference that
The
on
is
raised
much
is
feet,
real.
On
the chest and knees are pads of thick, hard skin to protect
the animal from abrasions when resting upon rough ground.
The head, splendidly poised at the extremity of the
23
33 8
so-called horns,
HOOFED ANIMALS
which
in the
young animals
Plate XXIII.
Giraffe
THE GIRAFFE
339
especially
trees,
others.
the
To match
ceedingly long,
can twist it round the leaves, and thus draw them into
its
mouth.
of
travellers
point Mr.
Selous may be quoted. He states that upon one occasion,
a little before sundown, he was 'just in time to see three
tall, graceful Giraffes issue from the forest a little distance
beyond on
their
way down
to the water.
It
is
a curious
them
grazes' (Plate
XXXV.
Fig.
i).
HOOFED ANIMALS
340
tail is
its
tip.
'
that
it is
to see
and
backwards
forwards,
follow
the
motion
of
their
bodies.'
Though
feet
single kick.
there
is
'
of a windmill.'
many
and
his
still
more numerous
stated to
and
fifty Giraffes,
fairly
such as
Sir
that
he
encountered
retreated.
THE OKAPI
The
is
341
an especial delicacy
but
it
for
is
and
that of the
its
hide,
to ^5, that
young
an inch in
it has been
the
enemy
least to
be feared
before the lion, though not without resistance. Rendered desperate by necessity, it uses its hoofs as weapons,
falls
and oftener
OKAPI (Okapi
Plate
johnstoni).
XXXIX.
Fig.
i.
known
of a hitherto
When
Sir
HOOFED ANIMALS
342
to
Sir
mens
were
home
to
whom
the speci-
sent.
little
later Sir
Okapi
is
six,
band
of black
of the giraffe.
SOLID-HORNED RUMINANTS.
far greater
of antelope-like creatures,
many
of
them
of graceful form,
PLATE XXXV.
GIRAFFE.
(See page 339)
2.
SWAMP DEER.
(See
page 363)
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE XXXVI.
i.
IN VELVET.
2.
ROYAL HART.
343
widely
Some
of the
earth
more or
only
In very
the
become
to
The
greatly enlarged
arteries
its
HOOFED ANIMALS
344
When
its
full
year's
growth,
it
While
in
it
by rubbing the
velvet
the
animal
is very inoffensive,
taking the greatest care of its headgear.
So much for the growth of the antlers, but now for the
families,
tember.
How the
to
now
fruits, nuts,
man
345
small herds of
the country.
Upon various
estates
become
uncommon
it
Deer may be
antlers.
following
The
classified
best
according to their
known
species
tail,
fall
easily
is no
mark
feet,
into
or
the
Short-tailed
Deer.
Elk,
Reindeer,
Swamp
Deer,
cerning them will include the chief interesting facts connected with the life-history of most of this large assemblage
of species.
For convenience' sake we take them more or
less in regional groups, rather than follow in strictly
scientific order.
RED DEER
(Cervus elaphus).
i.
in great
numbers. It was
were accounted
deer-stealers
HOOFED ANIMALS
346
and
edicts
'
mara
in Ireland.
It
abounds
in
Thanks
introduced into
New
in size
any of the
and inclining
to a greyish tint
and there
is
a yellowish-
antlers of the
Cervine family.
Deer's
name
is
changed to that of
'
Brocket.'
About the
end of February
antlers.
The
is
Plate
3.
Roe Deer
XXIV.
347
'
'
'
rich feudal lords, and the Deer raid the growing crops of
the agriculturist with more freedom than would be permitted in Britain, and are thus fed up into splendid
them
to eat in
some form
which
it
and
treat
it
in the
same way.
few weeks.
HOOFED ANIMALS
34 8
is
and females
keep apart except during the pairing season, which commences about the end of September, when the herds break
up into a number of families, each consisting of several
females and one male. At this period the harts become
dangerous, which is one of the reasons why Red Deer are
seldom chosen to roam in a semi-domesticated state in
parks
Even
males engage in
savage conflicts, antlers are frequently broken, and sometimes they get interlocked, and can only be released by a
forester.
The hind
the
little
is
Red Deer
is
it
by driving or
and
the
utmost prelong range
not so arduous as it was in olden times.
is
killed chiefly
rifles of
upon
struggle.
Let
it
may be two
opinions con-
349
commencement
of a
of the hunt.
box
Very
FALLOW DEER
Coloured Plate
(Cervus
XXV.
dama).
Fig.
3.
which is so ornamental an
and
pleasure-grounds, easily
many parks
accommodates itself to domesticated ways, and becomes
much more tame than the generality of sheep. At the
The
inhabitant of
Britain
into
later
reintroduced
the coat in
summer
is
all
HOOFED ANIMALS
350
manner
i.e.,
in
they take
Twenty
which
on the
to twenty-
change
'
Pricket
later.
no
its
the annual
'
to
winter, owing
natural food is limited
is
On
Red
Hind into Pixton Park, where they ran it down and killed.
The dogs then fell upon a herd of tame Fallow Deer, of
which they killed seventeen before the huntsmen could
come up to stop the slaughter.
The extinct Irish Elk is supposed to have been only a
common
species of the
ford has been
must have
furnished rare excitement, when one rethe clumsy weapons with which primitive man
was provided. The Irish Elk roamed over Great Britain
as well as over a great portion of the Continent.
members
35'
(Capreolus caprea)
3.
This elegant and active Deer is the smallest of the European species, even an adult buck being little more than two
feet high at the shoulder, and weighing only about sixty
pounds. The Roe Deer is a native of the British Isles, but
is also found in many parts of Europe between the Baltic
and
Sea and almost as far South as Spain and Italy
from the Caucasus it extends into Persia. In
;
Asia
it
is
Britain the
state
Vale, Dorset,
In
many
formed and
the
antlers
BOXES OF
antlers.
HOOFED ANIMALS
352
upon
its
former steps
till,
by various windings,
it
has quite
One
ELK (A Ices
macklis).
i.
The Elk
Deer
feet,
sake
of
Labrador
now
its
hide
has
the chief hunting-grounds, and there the Government restricts the slaughter, and only permits fair sporting
methods of capture.
THE ELK
The Elk
is
353
remarkable for
much
in width.
They
animal
is
ten or
more years
The
old.
there
lessen.
The upper
larly developed,
as it is called.
is
lip is rather
singu-
the
prefers
upon
Elk
muffle, when
considered to be the best part
The
to grazing.
cooked, is
of the animal.
While
running,
singular clattering
This
^^
ELK>S
Moose
it is
is
man by
hearing, scent, or
HOOFED ANIMALS
354
will
scent
to
him
immense
make
its
off
with
usual
strides,
high
greatly accelerating
shambling trot. Trappers and hunters assert that even
amid the most furious tempest, the snapping of a twig by
human hand or foot will be detected by the cautious and
suspicious animal, causing it to be additionally watchful
for hours afterwards.
There is, in fact, only one part of the year in which the
Moose can be hunted openly. When the snow is deep, and
a sharp frost has covered it with a thin crust, the Moose-
hunter will
its
its efforts
strip
its forefeet.
The
wily
Red Indian
stalks the
all
other males, the bull comes crashing
the
forest, and all unsuspectingly offers itself as
through
a fair mark to the artful red man, who reaps the reward
defiance to
of his ruse.
Plate
XXVI.
l.Elk
2.
Reindeer
THE CARIBOU
REINDEER
355
{Rangifer tarandus).
2.
to
antlers
both cases the antlers originate further behind the eyes than
In the males are particularly
in most of the Deer tribe.
brow
the
are
other.
The Reindeer
Asia,
is a consensus of opinion
but
one
In America, the
species.
really
is
Reindeer
is
smaller
as
the
in the barren
called,
Caribou,
lands of the North than it is in the more southern woodland region. In Europe, as late as the sixteenth century, the
Reindeer existed in Poland ; in the time of Julius Caesar it
was found in the Black Forest, and in still earlier periods as
far South as the Pyrenees.
Nowadays it does not extend
further South than the northern shore of the Baltic Sea.
The Reindeer possesses a characteristic Deer-like form,
with a stout heavy neck and short limbs, the whole build
denoting considerable power. The feet are marked by the
size
that there
is
HOOFED ANIMALS
35 6
tending to grey,
and throat
is
are whitish,
each fetlock.
in the Arctic
regions.
European
together, they
a large family.
of
to
THE REINDEER
357
when
from the
fold.
HOOFED ANIMALS
358
by no means uncommon.
forty-eight hours.
is
Herds have been placed among the mounand Ireland, as well as in parks and heaths
British Isles.
tains of Scotland
WAPITI
(Cervus canadensis).
Plate
XXXVII.
The Wapiti
at
one time
the
is
Red Deer
it
The
five feet in
length, the
tips
The neck
and
finely
of the animal
knit;
is
strong
the
limbs
clean
part, darkening
legs are brown,
PLATE XXXVII.
HEAD OF A WAPITI.
PLATE XXXVIII.
T.
SAMBUR.
2.
AXIS DEER.
II'.
S.
THE WAPITI
359
is
edged with
black.
beast of prey.
The hind
in defence of
utmost
join
fawn,
furiously in
when
The
flesh
nutritious
than
to
be perhaps more
Deer
leather, preserving
and
its
its
skin
suppleness
even
it
after
is
HOOFED ANIMALS
The Altai and the Manchurian Wapiti of Asia are very
similar animals, less in bulk, but with antlers bigger in
proportion. These Deer appear to agree with the suggestion that the
American Wapiti
New
remaining Deer of the New World show marked differences in the construction of the skull and in the shape
of the antlers. There are no brow tines, and the beams
consist either of simple spikes or branches of a fork-like
character.
The
The Virginian,
or
commonest Deer
of
North
than
with
Fallow
the
a
coat
of
Deer,
reddish
front
main
fork
prong
is
the
of
generally
The animal
361
before
leaps, in
ground.
slightly larger
enormous
double-pronged antlers, which
and a half feet, with a span
ing features are the
summer, when
coat
its
is
Its
its
great
snow
distinguish-
and
line to avoid
two
In
Mule Deer
tormenting
flies.
name, is
brown, glossy hair. The antler boasts of but three points,
the two at the extremity being far more developed than the
tine midway along the beam.
When a hind and her fawn
are approached by an enemy hounds, for example the
mother and the young one adopt an extraordinary method
to secure their safety.
The fawn will dash away at the
top of
its
where it will
mother stands
when she
still
too sets
until
off,
At length she
hunters.
to
feet in
The
year.
its
spikes.
The home
of the animal
is
in the Chilian
Andes.
HOOFED ANIMALS
362
ASIATIC DEER.
AXIS DEER (Cervus
XXXVIII.
Plate
axis).
Fig.
2.
The
size
Chital a conspicuous
however, is the case
mark
The
and French
SAMBAR
Plate
(Cervus unicolor).
XXXVIII.
Fig.
i.
The
is
the
finest representative of a
Sambar
is
363
Among
and
it
is
only
It is
when
It is usually
spots that the animal falls in its tracks.
stalked or beaten, but in Ceylon Sir Samuel Baker used
hounds to run it down. In the chase of a fine buck he
vital
how
describes
hound had
'
HOOFED ANIMALS
Plate
XXXV.
2,
Fig.
Barasingha (Cervus duvuacelli),
brow
The
antlers.
the
in
tine,
though there is a difference
about a foot in length, extends
almost at right angles instead of
In
Deer (Cervus
Eld's
sesses
The brow
very
tine
eldi)
distinctive
pos-
antler.
ANTLERS OF
SCHOMBURGK'S DEER.
its
way
into the
paddy
lamenting.
In
these
habits
difficult to
men
Eld's Deer
on a
large
the
of
365
MUNTJAO
of wholesale slaughter.
(Cervulus muntjac}.
2.
brilliant.
The
antlers,
only
The Kakar,
as the animal
five
beam and
is
HOOFED ANIMALS
366
When
are a bright chestnut red with black tips, giving the bucks a
it
adept at concealment
the
it
Duke
is
paddock.
The Chinese Elaphure, or David's Deer (Cervus davidianus), is practically only found in the Imperial hunting
park at Pekin, where M. David, a French naturalist, first saw
from over the wall in 1865. Four years later a pair was
obtained for the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park. The
antlers of the Elaphure are unlike those of any other Deer.
The beam ascends very abruptly, throwing off very near to
the base a back tine of enormous length. The Chinese call
it the
Sze-poo-seang, which signifies Like none of the
Four,' i.e., the animal resembles neither the horse, cow,
it
'
MUSK DEEB
(Moschus moschiferus).
Coloured Plate
of
XXV.
Fig.
i.
Himalayan
The absence
its own.
not wholly a distinctive characThree special peculiarities are not external. The
teristic.
Musk Deer is the only one of the Cervine family that
possesses no gall-bladder to the liver, which is so common a
view
it
is
367
for
perfumery
purposes,
The musk
but
it
is
also
possesses
medicinal qualities.
being
sometimes
and could not escape from the hounds it sprang into the
boughs of the nearest tree, hooked its tusks upon a branch,
and hung there until the hounds had passed by and lost
the scent. With increasing knowledge this pretty fiction
became entirely exploded.
The feet of the Musk Deer are quite distinctive, the hoofs
being widely cleft, while the large lateral hoofs are almost
equal to claws. The animal is almost, if not quite, as surefooted as the chamois, ascending and descending the most
It inhabits
frightful precipices with the greatest ease.
the loftiest mountain ranges, its favourite haunts being the
pine forests, although in summer it goes much higher than
the region of pines.
It is nocturnal in habit, in addition
to
Musk Deer
HOOFED ANIMALS
368
hair,
of
'No animal/
different
it
'
says Captain
to cold,
Kinloch,
Plate
2.
Camel
XXVH.
Chapter XI
ORDER
Sub-Order
4.
VI.
UNGULATA
ARTIODACTYLA
(continued)
Tragulina The Chevrotains KanIII. Tylopada: General description Arabian Camel Bactrian Camel Llama
Guanaco
Vicuna.
Alpaca
Group IV.
Suina Wild Boar Domestic Swine Babyrussa Wart Hog Peccary Hippopotamus.
Group
chil.
II.
Group
CHAPTER
Order VI.
Sub-Order
4.
XI
Ungulata
ARTIODACTYLA
(continued)
GROUP II.TRAGULINA.
FAMILY TRAGULID^E.
group, known as the Chevrotains, Deerlets, or
Mouse Deer, consists of diminutive, graceful, deerlike animals, possessing certain well-defined characteristics
that well separate them from the true deer. They have
no antlers, the upper jaw is furnished with long canine
tusks, and each foot has four well-developed digits, approximating somewhat to those of the pig. The family really
appears to form a link between the deer and the swine.
There are half a dozen species of Chevrotains, the Water
Chevrotain (Dorcatherium aquaticum) of West Africa being
the only one that is found outside the continent of Asia.
THIS
KANCHIL
(Tragulus pygmaus).
Coloured Plate
The
Kanchil, or
XXV.
Fig.
is
2.
a native of Java
length,
HOOFED ANIMALS
372
The
Un-
six
feet of the
Camel and the Llama. In the former the two toes are
elongated and furnished with soft pads like cushions,
which spread out and enable the animal to tread the loose
sand without sinking or slipping. In the Llama the two
still retain their
length, but the pads are only slightly
developed, giving place to two sharp and hard little hoofs
toes
THE CAMEL
373
owner
to
make
Tylopada group
bones of the animals are quite ivory-like
in character.
FAMILY CAMELIDj.
ARABIAN CAMEL
Plate
(Camelus dromedarius).
XXXIX.
is
Fig. 2.
about nine
long and
Apart
is
and
the chest
leg joints,
otherwise suffer
lies
when
the
down.
and rounded,
and the eyes are protected by large eyelids and
The ears
eyebrows
will.
The
common
in the desert.
The
is cleft like
lips are
that of
BONES OF
FORE FOOT
OF
THE CAMEL.
HOOFED ANIMALS
374
The
legs
Camel
of the
standing which
their
are long
looseness gives
adapt
the
it
Camel
ground
that
On
and
helpless,
am.
and nothing
can be done with the
sockets,
unfortunate
but destroy
The
make
CAMEL.
which
Camel in-
qualities
the
valuable
creature
it.
in
desert
little
water contained in the skin bags of the travellers is exhausted, a Camel is sacrificed for the sake of the liquid
which remains unconsumed in the stomach.
Often the Camel saves the caravan from destruction by
the exercise of its faculty of scenting water at a great
distance, bending its course directly towards it, and even
fail
to
PLATE XXXIX.
i.
(Sec
OKAPI.
2.
DROMEDARY.
page 341)
(Photo
IP. S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
THE CAMEL
The hump
or
'
bunch
popularly supposed
it is
composed
There
to
'
be
of fatty cells
375
at one time
water reservoir, whereas
which form a reserve of food.
the
scarce.
wind.'
Syria, Asia
HOOFED ANIMALS
376
and
in agricultural labour
In North
impossible without this
ship of the desert.'
for
caravans
of
to the
sometimes
Africa,
Camels,
example,
'
number
'
better fare.
Nor
is
the
Arab than he
Camel
is
to the merchant.
He
loads
wandering
it
with his
all
it
THE CAMEL
377
teeth.
When
it
had completed
its
work
of destruction the
driver spoke to the animal, and such was its chagrin at the
failure of its purpose that, in a fit of uncontrollable rage, it
dashed its head against the wall and died on the spot.
Riding a Camel
for a beginner.
is
The
monotonous back-breaking
along on the two legs of one
the
jolt as
the
Camel swings
snatching at intervals
branch in
at
The Camel
by a
it
proposes to follow.
Eskimo.
almost wholly on the thick, rich milk, mixed with meal ; the
tents in which he lives, and the great mantle, or burnous,
which he wears such as was worn by Elijah, and bequeathed to Elisha are made of the Camel's hair, of which
it is
despoiled annually. The skin is valuable for many
HOOFED ANIMALS
378
purposes ; of
trunks, &c.
it
are
made
saddles,
xii. 16),
now
BACTRIAN CAMEL
(Camelus bactrianus).
2.
Camel
is
populous
district,
a devastating sandstorm.
their rise.
They are exceedingly difficult to capture, for in
the deep, loose sand of these regions horses are quite helpless in the chase.
379
glamd].
i.
latter.
Though they
are smaller in
size,
lighter
of the
build,
Llama, as figured
on the
of
vary
considerably
in
colour,
being
World.
three
Only
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 8o
the male Llamas were pack animals, the females being kept
A long file of Llamas
for the sake of their milk and flesh.
would traverse the broken mountain steeps, the highest
passes,
only go at its own speed, and will frequently sulk and lie
down if it consider its load is too heavy. Rather a remarkable
characteristic of the
Llama family
whom
is
an animal
is
annoyed.
If
Water
Cells.
man
it
Visitors to zoological
this
objectionable habit.
ALPACA (Lama
The covering
pacos).
more
THE GUANACO
381
Except for its longer neck, which it carries very erect, the
animal is more sheep-like than the Llama. The Alpacas
are pastured
was
made
also
When
white
man
which the
home. A
no useful result, and in different parts of Europe similar
attempts ended in failure. Australia appeared to be the
likeliest
many more
five years,
to be
it
added
world.
GUANACO (Lama
guanacus).
The Guanaco, or Huanaco, the ancestor of the presentday Llama, extends throughout the Andes region from the
Equator to Cape Horn. The coat, rough and short, is
usually brown in colour. Though exceedingly wild and
wary, the animal has little idea of defending itself, but
the males fight furiously among themselves.
The animal is said to retire to some secluded place when
it is about to die ; and Darwin found certain spots near the
Santa Cruz river that were white with bones. This strange
habit has given rise to considerable discussion among
naturalists.
The most probably correct explanation is, that
long ages ago the Guanaco in the severe weather came
down from
An animal
approaching
its
wooded
valleys for
end would
feel
warmth.
cold from
its
HOOFED ANIMALS
382
own
decreasing
vitality,
it would seek
cover
remains have been found.
and hence
its
VICUNA (Lama
Plate
XL.
vicunia).
Fig.
i.
and
its
GROUP IV.SUINA.
All the
members
of this
PLATE XL.
mam
i.
VICUNA.
2.
WART
(Sec
HOG.
page 389)
(Photos W.
S.
383
the end
WILD BOAR
(Sus
scro/a).
i.
to force
HOOFED ANIMALS
3*4
its
protecting layer
fat.
Though
the
Wild Boar
Its
differs
considerably in appearance
European specimen
colour
feet in height.
longitudinal stripes.
(Sus cristatus)
is
Pig-sticking
a favourite sport in
India,
by
TEETH OF THE WILD BOAR.
'
'
chase.
all
surrounded
the elements of
pugnacity
the
movement
right
cuts,
one
to the
The
young
by some natives
to rid a district of
Wild Boars
that
had
'
frequently ravaged their crops.
Amongst us all we killed
five boars, all large ones, in the space of about two hours,
Plate
1.
3.
XXVIE.
Wild Boar
Hippopotamus
385
in
its
weapon out
of the officer's
it
approach,
the neck
from a distance of only fifteen yards. This failed to stop
its career, as did a second shot that broke its under
jawbone. The next instant the Captain was knocked completely over, the Boar wounding him in the left arm as it
ran over him, and almost in the same instant another native
was hurled to the ground as the infuriated animal again
took flight. A third shot pierced the creature's brain, and
it fell dead without a
groan.
Sir Samuel Baker in Ceylon often hunted the Boar on
foot with dogs and armed only with a hunting-knife, with
which to meet the animal at close quarters. He says it
abounds in the low country in astonishing numbers, where
it is a useful
scavenger in clearing up the carcasses of dead
animals. The natives prize the flesh of the Wild Boar, but the
habit
to
render
specially interesting.
26
description
useful
or
$86
HOOFED ANIMALS
DOMESTIC SWINE (Sus
scrofa).
2.
and hunger
BONES OF THE
FOOT OF THE PIG.
inquiry.
of the results of domestication are very apparent,
notably in the bodily form of various breeds. The Irish
Greyhound Pig, as implied by its name, is a long-legged,
Some
387
short head, broad forehead and nose, great fleshy ears, and
deeply furrowed skin. Not only is the face furrowed, but
thick folds of skin, which are harder than the other parts,
almost like the plates on the Indian rhinoceros, hang about
the shoulders and hindquarters/ The best Chinese breed,
small-bodied and short-eared, has been largely used to
It is
impossible
ten million each, while the last named has half as many again.
These figures show the immense importance of Swine
;l I,OOO,OOO.
HOOFED ANIMALS
3 88
its
stiff,
squeal.
BABYRUSSA
(Babyrussa alfurus}.
2.
There
is
member
shows
is dull
ashy grey in colour, with
but a very sparse covering of bristles. The Babyrussa is
almost as swift as any member of the deer tribe, and in
Its habits differ but little from
disposition is rather fierce.
those of Wild Swine generally.
It is an excellent swimmer,
389
of
are either
bound or
speared.
excitement, as evidenced
in
the
which they
not without
of Dr. Guille-
in nets, after
The
sport
words
is
mard
'The next moment a magnificent old boar Babyrussa
rushed past within five yards of us, and plunged into the
:
to the corral.
His
WAET HOG
(Phacockcerus czthiopicus).
Plate
XL.
Fig. 2.
39
HOOFED ANIMALS
it
often
It is
lies.
much more
timid
it
will rarely
charge even
when wounded.
In South-eastern Africa the Wart Hog is known as the
Vlacke Vark, i.e., Black Hog. It often occupies the discarded burrows of the Aardvark. In driving the animal
out of its retreat a hunter might not unnaturally take his
stand immediately at the back of the hole in order to get a
shot as the
PLATE XLI.
i.
COLLARED PECCARY.
2.
AARD-VARK.
(See pa^c 425)
(Photos W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.)
391
XLI.
(Dicotyles tajacu).
Fig.
i.
The
is
removed immediately
it
It
is
blackish
derives
its
dwells in holes or the hollows of trees, and in the neighbourhood of settled districts ravages the plantations.
The White-lipped Peccary (Dicotyles labiatus) is a slightly
It
Living
larger species and infinitely fiercer in disposition.
in herds, they are often a source of embarrassment to the
planter, for they know no fear ; and the hunter is safe from
their assault only when he has gained a friendly branch
Even the jaguar only
at some distance from the ground.
HOOFED ANIMALS
392
food, but
it
FAMILY HIPPOPOTAMID^E.
HIPPOPOTAMUS
(Hippopotamus amphibius).
3.
The Hippopotamus, or River Horse, is the sole representative of the family ; it frequents the lakes and rivers of
Central Africa. The ancient Egyptians called the animal
by a name which meant 'river-swine/ which was a far
better title than horse, with which animal
the Hippopotamus has nothing in common. It is a shapeless, unwieldy beast,
attaining a length of from twelve to
fourteen feet
the shoulder
it
is
and
it
may weigh
as
much
colour
,-,,
The
the female
ears
are small
is
a yellower shade.
when
The head
the animal
is
under water.
merged except
for
retain
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS
its
power
to
see,
hear,
and
breathe.
393
The mouth
is
The Hippopotamus
herbage and
stomach of a dead
animal have been taken six bushels of chewed grass, giving
a good idea of the bulk of the fodder required to form a
meal. Consequently, if but one animal wanders into a
native plantation to satisfy its appetite, it makes a considerable hole in a crop, omitting what it beats down in its
water-plants and
feeds
roots.
upon
From
riverside
the
ungainly progress.
On land the animal is slow and heavy, though
travel swiftly for a short distance ; but in the river it
it
can
is
per-
fectly at ease,
two.
HOOFED ANIMALS
394
monster
of
life
treads
Mr.
upon a
lever
Neumann once
shots.
The Hippopotamus
'
many
as
Chapter XII
ORDER
VII.
SIRENIA (MANATEES)
Dugong.
Manatee
CHAPTER
Order VII.
XII
Sirenia (Manatees)
form
THE
They
members
of
exist out of
which, while living
entirely
MANATEE
(Manatus
Coloured Plate
The Manatee
inhabits
australis).
XXX.
Fig.
i.
Mexico
MANATEES
398
rudimentary.
it
it
whom
it
will
THE SEA-COWS
in the
centre of a school
399
are
near.
Humboldt declared
it
sumptuous
Mr. Bates,
on
some other
travellers
have done.
but the
is
parts,
flavour.'
fat,
which
lies
in thick
of a greenish colour,
DUGONG
(Halicore dugong).
Coloured Plate
The Dugong
being met with
The
best
is
and
XXX.
Fig.
2.
in the
known
is
The
creature
is
Its
flesh
when
roasted
is
said
MANATEES
400
tans,
whose
'
decide.
One
real
Sea Cow,
oil.
PLATE XLII.
i.
Chapter XIII
ORDER
VIII.
CETACEA (WHALES
AND DOLPHINS)
27
General description of the Cetacea Greenland Whale Southern Right Whale Common Rorqual Humpback Whale Cachalot
or Sperm Whale
Narwhal
Porpoise -
Dolphin
Killer
Whale.
Plate
1.
2.
3.
XXIX.
Cachelot
Greenland Whale
Humpbacked Whale
CHAPTER
XIII
UNDER
are
Cetacea possess the most indubitable mammalian characterBy means of lungs they breathe atmospheric air;
their warm blood is pulsated by a four-chambered heart;
istics.
and
The
composed
from eight
blubber.
is
which
species possess a
a thick layer of fat,
Many
which
'
is
blanket.'
called
The
4o 4
and
in addition renders
a dead Right Whale,
fat serves
the huge
but
sub-orders.
In the
In the Mystacoceti is the single family Balaenidae.
members of this family there are two nostrils, or ' blowholes,'
and instead
of teeth the
of baleen, popularly
mouth
is
fitted
with plates
'
whalebone.'
not bone, but
is
It may be here noted that baleen is
analogous to hair. Dip a tuft of hair in any gelatinous
substance, and when dried a transverse section placed
under the microscope will well represent a section of
all
the re-
hole.'
To
is
Cetacea and the Pinnipedia, or Seals. Oils, sealbaleen, spermaceti, ambergris, and ivory are
no inconsiderable additions to the finny food-harvest of
of the
skins, furs,
the sea.
FAMILY
GREENLAND WHALE
(Balcena mysticetus).
2.
of
in
405
BALEEN OR WHALEBONE.
A.
A back view
jawbones
(J)
are
shown
as
C. Three flakes
by
skull.
side.
and
406
molluscs and
jelly-fish
in
its
open
a rate of
leisurely passes through the water at
mouth,
about four miles an hour. The tongue, an immense mass
of fat nearly two tons in weight, rises up and forces
as
it
Whale
slothful
and the
life,
death-struggles.
school of
and
length at birth,
and a couple
its
The whaling
varies
from one
to three
thousand pounds.
Thanks
to the
formerly called
for whalebone, gas and electricity for lighting purposes, and
the increasing competition of vegetable and mineral oils,
substitution of steel for
Whale hunting
many
articles that
prosperity.
is
Some
that
where
lies
northern congener
its
407
australis).
and
is
it
a mystery what
is
it
to the existence of
live
COMMON RORQUAL
(Balanoptera musculus).
'
finners/
Finned
back fin that lies near
an enormous size one
'
4 o8
have been
at their wits'
of the district.
viewed with particular disfavour by fisherof a dead Whale have been found
stomach
men,
no less than nine hundred codfish. But the Whale piles
up injury upon injury. It not only disposes of vast quantities of fish that might be put to more profitable use by
the toilers of the sea, but calmly swims through thousands
of pounds' worth of their tangled nets, while with each gulp
The Rorqual
is
for in the
it
edible fish.
'
Small steamers
Thames
girth.
like
is fitted
in the
bows also.
409
'
and sinks
When
dead.'
the windlass
is
started the
immense
carcass
is
The Greenland
except that
its
W hale
T
is
buoyant carcass
of
is
dragged
Rorqual.
who
hasten from
all
mouth,
the
The spears whiz through the air and the oarsmen shoot
forward into the terror-stricken shoal, driving it into the
Timber crashes and splinters as boats collide,
and the wretched creatures, with quivering spears embedded
shallows.
4 io
The Whale
may
one
with
its
By
crimson, the
Then, suddenly as it
the ferocious whaleliterally
HUMPBACK WHALE
(Megaptera
show
boops).
3.
fin
'
'
'
long, the
all
latitudes
tribe.
The belly blubber is divided
into longitudinal folds with grooves over two inches in
depth, in which limpets breed with but little fear of
removal, even when the Whale drags its vast body over
submerged rocks or along the bottom of a coral reef.
Humpbacks usually yield but a moderate amount of oil,
often only ten barrels, though sometimes an extra blubbered
specimen will furnish ten times the quantity. In common
Short
sionally very numerous.
the capture of a number of poor
Whales may
in
really result
THE CACHALOT
in
more
North
profit than a
in search of the
411
FAMILY CATADONTID^E.
CACHALOT
(Catadon macrocephalus).
The
i.
'
feet.
the upper jaw there are no teeth, but grooves into which the
teeth fit.
When once the mouth is closed no creature living
could extricate
itself.
This peculiarity of structure is
valuable, bearing in mind that the staple diet of the Sperm
Whale consists of gigantic squids or cuttle fishes, whose
some
if
fifty.
Generally only
412
The blubber
oil is of
Reference to the
Whale shows a
Cetaceans.
skeleton of this
product,
much
is
the
Sperm Whale.
fatty
substance
value in the
It
perfumes.
It is
of
a solid,
particular
of
manufacture
is
a product of
picked up
masses of
at
is
sea
fifty
more
in
often
ejected
a
and even
the
scarcity
of
the
substance.
common
ated
incident.
An
infuri-
a boat
enormous flukes,
and then chewed its timbers into matchwood. Instances are
upon record where wounded and maddened monsters have
by blows of
its
THE CACHALOT
ferociously
bottom.
rammed
It is
413
choice of mates, and also between the older ones for the
leadership of a school (Plate XLII. Fig. i).
The Whale
may
subsist a
tions
must
is
in order that
it
number
and
make
lighter
in
lungs.
It
must be able to
an
it
were a fish.
though
as these problems appear, they are by no means
as
it
impossible of explanation.
T
In order to prevent the heat of the
hale being absorbed
the
cold
water
the
animal
is
fitted
a modified skin
with
by
called
'
blubber/
into
the
composition
of
which
non-
ducting
very largely enters. The fibres, instead of being
flattened out, as in the skin of most mammals, are conoil
wound
414
The
ability of the
Whale
Whale
of the ocean
but
it
and
veins,
the
Whale
nor
'
arteries.
'
or
Spouting
'
blowing
with which
is
When
it
Whale
An
'
'
'
'
Plate
5.
Dolphin
XXX.
THE NARWHAL
415
it is a
very different matter. Most Whales
death-throes eject the contents of the stomach,
the Cachalot
in their
vomit masses of
bed.
But even
big
if we
fish
shall
the
we
still
be in as
accept
rendering
case.
There
sharks
that
can
still
exist
swallow
a
good
man whole, and certain extinct species are known to have
will
frequently
as a fair-sized feather
cuttlefish as
'
'
An
of aborigines
in a
It was
region where perhaps food was none too plentiful.
a sorry sight/ he says, ' to see a pretty young woman entering the belly of the Whale, then gorging herself with
'
FAMILY DELPHINIUM.
NAB WEAL
(Monodon monoceros).
Coloured Plate
walrus
teeth,
length
of
is
XXX.
now
fourteen
Fig. 3.
limited
or
fifteen
to
one
species,
In
feet.
of
the
of the
the
canine
Narwhal
4 i6
is still
Occasionally
yellow ivory horn.
thus grows to a length of perhaps ten feet ; but very
Its habitat
two horns.
rarely does the creature possess
waters
in
shallower
the
is restricted to the Arctic regions,
it
is
which
of
it
stirs
up sluggish
fish
known to do.
The Narwhal is of considerable economic importance,
for it yields an oil much superior to that of the Whale.
A tusk of ivory eight feet or more in length, with a
never
it
tusk
is
hollow.
PORPOISE
(Phoccena communis}.
The
common
'
The
flesh
of the
Porpoise
is
eat
impervious to wet
is
more
White
THE DOLPHIN
417
DOLPHIN
(Delphinus delphis).
Coloured Plate
XXX.
Fig. 5.
The Dolphin
one
of their
number
that
is
wounded
is
at
once torn
in
No examination
it is sometimes poisonous.
or application of any test will assist in marking any undesirable fish ; it can only be discovered when it is too late, and
covered reason
and
is less risk.
which
The Faroe
islanders in particular
After the removal of the fat,
4 i8
KILLER
WHALE
Coloured Plate
Of
all
(Orca gladiator).
XXX.
Fig. 4.
the largest,
Though
it
member
of the
may
of disintegrating the
^
instinct with life.*
Plate
XXXI.
5.
Great Anteater
Chapter
ORDER
IX.
XIV
EDENTATA
(TOOTHLESS ANIMALS)
General description of the Edentata Threetoed Sloth Two-toed Sloth Great Ant-eater
Aard-vark Pangolin Armadillo.
CHAPTER XIV
Order IX.
Edentata
(Toothless Animals)
THE
Edentates
and
differ in
many
more widely
in
never have any in the front of the jaws, and those at the
back are usually of more or less imperfect formation,
without enamel and destitute of roots. The order consists
of but two tribes, and the existing species are far from
numerous. The Tardigrada,
or slow-paced tribe, con-
all
and Pangolins.
running,
jumping, swimming, digging, or as hands
to seize prey and to convey
food to the mouth. The
Sloth possesses four legs,
but does not run, nor leap,
TOOTHLESS ANIMALS
422
rarely swims,
and never
digs.
Of
all
the Sloths only hang. They live wholly in trees, not upon
In Waterton's own words,
the branches, but under them.
moves suspended from a branch, he rests suspended from it, and he sleeps suspended from it.'
Quite naturally one would infer that to lead such a life
the Sloths must possess very uncommon muscular powers.
A glance at the accompanying illustration will show that
'the Sloth
it is
it
may
certainly
pulling
life
itself
along.
must be a burden
strange creature.
element
in
considered that
naturalists
Early
to the
among
its
mammals, but
tridactylus).
2.
and
at first sight
it
is
of a hot iron
would produce,
it
is
not of
artificial origin.
Owing
to a vegetable alga
hairs, the
THE SLOTHS
423
make
surroundings.
tint,
which
it
who
is
The
its
The Two-Toed
Sloth
(Cholcepus
didactylus)
is
a larger
The
and
in other
TOOTHLESS ANIMALS
424
other to call
respects the species too closely resemble each
for separate description.
The animals
The Great
of
Ant-eater,
South America.
tail
It
The
hair
is
jubata).
5.
which
is
a native
stiff
and
bristly,
their sugar-loaf
to support the
insects,
its
THE AARD-VARK
425
when
fighting
to
is
seize
seeking to drive
its
'
terrible teeth.
common
difficult to kill.
The tough
grass.
displace
it.
FAMILY ORYCTEROPID^.
AARD-VARK
Plate
The Aard-vark in
(Orycteropus capensis).
XLI.
Fig.
2.
mammal. The
snout
is
would convey
The
TOOTHLESS ANIMALS
426
<
Earth-pig' to the Cape
Boers, indeed, gave the name
Aard-vark, not only on account of its appearance, but
also because of its confirmed habit of deep burrowing.
To complete
same manner
as hams,
if not
quite,
esteemed.
equally
Although the Aardvark does not possess
such
claws as the
Tamanoir,
burrower,
SKULL
o7T HE
CAPE ANT-EATER.
sun-baked earth.
burrow, but at night
termites.
It is
a capital
and
an
in
it
in
and
and
it is
it
sets
retiring animal,
for a
which
it
longicaudd).
The Pangolins
3.
and
Africa.
The
roof of a house
'
THE ARMADILLO
427
the Pangolin.
It
may be
has
long
(Dasypus
sexcinctus).
Fig.
i.
They
are
TOOTHLESS ANIMALS
428
other insects.
fresh or putrid.
For its size the Armadillo, or
is
anything
animal's
left
to
eat.
its
The
natives
acknowledge the
services in such
good
would manifest a little more
would not be necessary for them
it
it
and
flexible condition.
Chapter
ORDER
XV
MARSUPIALIA
(POUCHED ANIMALS)
X.
Great
Tasmanian Wolf or
Thylacine Phascologales Banded Ant-eater
Pouched Mole Opossum.
Devil or Ursine Dasyure
Plate
XXXH.
.Kangaroo
CHAPTER XV
Order X. Marsupialia
(Pouched Animals)
HT^HE
animals
of
this
order
modifications of structure that they are easily distinguished from those of other divisions of the animal
world. The Latin word marsupium means a pouch or bag,
which
the most
marked
feature of nearly
Marsupials, which
'
teats.
while
introduced
they
until
themselves.
Reference
to
the skeleton
of
the
Kangaroo, or the
show
Opossum,
will
by but a patch
of longer hair.
The various families of the Marsupials differ very conMany of them are strictly herbisiderably in their diet.
431
432
POUCHED ANIMALS
the
Rodents,
approxi-
THE KANGAROO
Tasmanian
might
Devil,
433
The Marsupials
Australia possesses
(Macropus giganteus).
6.
and held
to the
mouth.
The
end
in five
toes, all
fitted
teeth of the
29
POUCHED ANIMALS
434
The
tail
of the
is
its
It
assumes
forming
and ten
obstacles nine
The woolly
fur
grey, especially
is
feet in height.
usually
brown
on the under
side
in colour, lightening to
the
is
tail
The
black.
tipped with
skin when
No mammal
orders
the
described
birth
in
veloped
TEETH OF THE GREAT KANGAROO.
in
of
any
previously
produced at
such an undeis
state
as
the
young
Kangaroo.
Pro-
fessor
Owen, from
close
in
the
herbage
is
among which
able to
make
fair
the mother
progression
it
is
moving.
Even
after
it
pouch when
THE KANGAROO
435
'
'
'
'
Kangaroo dogs.
All Kangeroos are timid, and
seek safety in flight
male
is
but
at the least
when brought
no mean opponent.
Woe
to
token of danger
bay a full-grown
betide the
within reach of the great claw, for its hunting days will end
with one stroke of the knife-like weapon. If the Boomer
can reach water he will enter it up to his shoulders, and
await the approach of a dog, which he will seize in his
fore paws and hold under water until it is drowned.
Even
a man will come to grief badly if the desperate animal can
'
'
The female
dogs off the scent. When very hard pressed she will fling
her young one into the bushes as she hurtles along.
This action is often viewed as an effort at self-preservation
other
an
no
single loophole.
seal
still is
to the
Eskimo.
The
POUCHED ANIMALS
436
to load himself
'
distinct
size
prominent
toe.
Though
it
fact is
climb
be
habit
that
an
arboreal
may
they adopted
in order to obtain better food than existed on the
surface of the ground, for they possess no special modification of limbs to enable them to climb trees other than
established
trees.
beyond
all
It
clumsily.
may
PLATE XLIII.
i.
TREE KANGAROO.
2.
RED-NECKED WALLABY.
(See page 437)
(Photo
W.
Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.)
(Phoio W.
S.
Berridge, F.Z.S.
PLATE XLIV.
i.
SPOTTED CUSCUS.
(See
page 439)
2.
RAT KANGAROO.
(See
page 438)
(Photos W.
S.
Bcrridge, F.Z.S.).
THE WALLABY
437
WALLABY.
Under the
are included
coloured
colonial
numerous
Kangaroos.
and
unscientific
name
of
Wallaby
New
'
Victoria.
(Petrogale
tribe.
The
and
under
portions of
parts
the
name.
POUCHED ANIMALS
43 8
BAT-KANGAROO (Hypsiprymnus
Plate
The Potoroo,
generally known
of
XLIV.
which
Fig.
there
rufescens}.
2.
are several
species,
is
in miniature.
different
its
as the
The
dentition,
chief
its
variations
narrower fore
lie
in
feet,
the
Potoroo's
and sometimes
Even the
a rabbit.
largest
and timid
and roots.
is
it
flesh of the
THE PHALANGERS
439
Of
XLIV.
Fig.
maculatus).
i.
of the
common
cat,
tinged with yellow or red, while the head and limbs are
greyish red. Other species are mainly grey and black. The
small animals.
assist stealthy
By
is
fitted with
descent upon birds and
as
active
as
by day it
Mr.
Wallace,
sleepy.
They
feeding upon the leaves, of which they devour large quantities.
They move about slowly, and are difficult to kill,
is
dull
and
night
'
it
lie
coiled
up
in the
TRUE PHALANGERS.
The True Phalangers are usually called Opossums in
They differ in various minor details from the
Australia.
POUCHED ANIMALS
440
is
tail,
which
is
to
its
very
tip.
a peculiar camphorated flavour, the result of the camphorperfumed leaves upon which it feeds. Nevertheless it is a
'
FLYING PHALANGER
(Petaurus taguanides).
5.
which appears along both fore and hind legs, does not
extend beyond the latter. Nor does it include the long
bushy tail, the hair of which is arranged to render it useful
as a support, as well as a rudder to
guide the animal through
air.
'When chased or forced to flight, it ascends to
the highest branch and performs the most enormous leaps,
sweeping from tree to tree with wonderful address ; a slight
ascent gives its body an impetus which, with the expansion
the
of the
membrane, enables
by
animal
it
little
is
THE KOALA
shock
it
441
It
flight,
its movemore
than
any
membrane
two opposite
fringes.
KOALA
(Phascolarctus dnereus}.
Plate
XLVI.
Fig.
i.
The Koala is a type differing so widely from the foregoing Phalangers as to form in itself a separate sub-family.
It is a podgy, tailless,
woolly clothed animal with a short,
thick-set head and round, tufted ears.
It is often absurdly
called the Australian Bear, with which animal it has little in
common beyond a resemblance to the woolly toy monthat is so popular in nurseries.
Owing to the
with which it can climb trees it is frequently called
the
Native Monkey,' in comparison with which it is in
and it altogether lacks the
reality the veriest sluggard
strosity
facility
'
volatile
POUCHED ANIMALS
442
(Phascolomys mitchelli}.
4.
latter, as
Wombat
It is clumsy in
will serve for the whole family.
brownish
with
coarse
which
is
covered
grey or
hair,
body,
even black and yellow, which thickens considerably towards
the hindquarters.
thick harsh fur
Its
its
is
worthy of notice throughout its
without
In each jaw are
grow
interruption.
a pair of powerful incisor teeth strongly suggestive of the
Rodents. All the toes, except the great toe of the hind
The hind feet are partially
foot, are fitted with claws.
life
its
teeth
webbed.
Thanks
to
The Wombat
is
its
its
vegetable substances.
Australia and Tasmania.
It
is
distributed
Though
with
its
over
nearly
incisor teeth
all
it
can bite severely, the animal is shy, and rarely offers resistance if captured during daylight. It is said to possess the
power of sustaining life under water for quite a long time.
THE BANDICOOT
If in its travels it
swim
across
it,
The
443
flesh of the
side.
Wombat
is
(Perameles nasuta).
i.
The Bandicoots,
build
(Peragale lagotis)
add
and worms.
in
atonement.
POUCHED ANIMALS
444
maculatus), Plate
and Tasmania.
XLV.
They
TASMANIAN DEVIL
Plate
(Dasyurus ursinus).
XLV.
is
Fig.
popularly
2.
known
as
the 'Tas-
grew no
than a
shortish, with
bigger
badger. It is
a broad head, and its mouth
teeth disis furnished with
TEETH OF THE DASYURE.
tinctly carnivorous in
character.
It
is
strictly
burrow
own
of
its
issues to prey
power.
shore are
all
welcome
PLATE XLV.
I.
SPOTTED DASYURE.
2.
TASMAXIAN DEVIL.
(Photos W.
S.
PLATE XLVI.
i.
2.
THYLACINE.
445
Tasmanian sheep and poultry farmers and Government action was necessary to remove a menace to the
prosperity of the colony. As late as thirty years ago in
one winter over a hundred savage depredators were captured within the confines of one large farm. Nowadays
the animal is found only in the less settled districts.
earlier
THYLACINE
(Thylacinus cynocephalus)
Plate
XLVI.
Fig.
2.
ment
of the
Thylacine
regions.
POUCHED ANIMALS
446
Smaller
species
still
known
laniger).
Its
are the
is
the Jerboa
it is
enabled
make progression by
Kangaroo.
BANDED ANT-EATER
(Myrmecobius fasciatus).
2.
number
young,
THE OPOSSUM
447
FAMILY NOTORYCTID^.
POUCHED MOLE
(Notoryctes typhlops).
The
3.
feet
burrows along
no
live
at
Presently
it
will
it
by
its
captors.
(Didelphys dorsigerus).
4.
the
pouched animals.
locality of the American Opossum is indicated in its
it abounds in the warmer parts of North
specific name
America, extending considerably north of Virginia. In form
The
it is robust and in size about that of an ordinary cat.
colour of its fine woolly fur ranges from white to black, and
The outincludes numerous varieties of intermixture.
The
Opossum
is
its
pre-eminently pre-
POUCHED ANIMALS
448
hensile
tail,
except in
named
farmer.
While
eating,
it
frequently uses
all
four feet as
hands, twisting
trusting alone
it for
support.
There are usually a dozen or more young ones at a birth.
They are blind and naked, and the little immature creatures
cling to the mother's teats so firmly that they can only be
moved by violence. In less than a week they leave the
its
tail
to
THE OPOSSUM
449
Opossum
in
one of
in pertinacity
its
deceit.
Merian's
of
its
falling,
and
young.
cancrivorus), Plate
of its food on the
POUCHED ANIMALS
4So
reality a
much
its
Otter of Guiana.
it
as the Little
PLATE XLVII.
I.
ECHIDNA.
(See page 453)
CRAB-EATING, OPOSSUM.
(?ee
iage 449)
(.Photos
W. S Bcrridge, F.Z.S.)
PLATE XLVI1I.
vr"
f-.
i.
2.
DUCKBILL.
Chapter
ORDER
XI.
XVI
MONOTREMATA
Echidna
CHAPTER XVI
Order XI.
Monotremata
WHETHERwith
classed
mammals should be
or should
form
whose young are brought into the world in the shape of eggs
in one case deposited in an underground burrow, and in
the other carried about in the pouch of the parent until the
young are hatched. From that time their existence is continued exactly as in the case of the young marsupials.
The Monotremes, of which there are only two distinct
family types, in the one aspect of egg-laying lean towards
the reptiles, but in other respects are true mammals.
They
may be viewed as composites, links between the Mammalia
and Reptilia. In any case their peculiar position merits the
placing of them in an order of their own.
ECHIDNA
Plate
(Echidna aculeata).
XLVII.
Fig. i.
The Echidna,
muzzle.
The mouth
is
MONOTREMATA
454
soil
when engaged
in
burrowing operations.
In proportion to
of the Echidna
burrows
with
its
is
remarkable.
It
at
an
least to
that
rapidity equal
of the mole, and if
it
it
is
(A)
AND NOSE-
evinces a liking
meat.
The Echidna
is
not
larger
leathery,
and
There
reason to believe
its diet with
In captivity it
grasses and herbs.
for bread and milk and chopped-up
insects.
is
varies
than
is
carried about
in
it
and
it
is
hatched.
DUCKBILL
no
(Ornithorhynchus anatinus).
Plate
The
named
for
XLVIII. Fig.
2.
THE DUCKBILL
455
and the
of a salmon.
tail
Reference to
the
illustration
will
The body,
description unnecessary.
and without any real neck,
and
skin,
will
skin.
The
so-called beak
is
the
bill
a duck,
of
similar office
search
it
of
only resembles
it performs a
grubbing in
To
mud
in
the eyes
with a shield-like structure
food.
fitted
is
in
but
protect
at the base.
As
it
in
its
catches
food
its
it
stows
it
away
capacious cheek-pouches.
The Platypus is shy and retiring and strictly nocturnal in
Its burrow, thirty to fifty feet in length, always conhabit.
one under water and the other usually
tains two entrances
difficulties of
for
many
some
in a thicket at
years
was a puzzle
was proved to
it
it
and
was not
two of which are
to naturalists.
lay eggs,
The
It
MONOTREMATA
45 6
puppies.
and
in
is
captivity are
as
droll
and
interesting as
Index
AARD-VARK, 425
INDEX
458
(continued)
Fox,
Common,
156
Cross, 158
Arctic, 158
Blue, 158
Silver, 158
Fennec, 159
Canadian Lynx, 133
Canadian Porcupine, 238
M
Cape
Buffalo, 306
Polecat, 171
CAPRA
Goat,
Common, 316
Angora, 318
Kashmir, 319
Ibex, 319
Markhor, 321
Tahr, 321
Pasang, 322
Capuchin Monkey, 68
Capyarab, 242
Caracal, 133
Caribou, 355
CARNIVORA OF THE
LAND,
105
CARNIVORA OF THE
SEA, 191
Carpi ncho, 242
CASTORID;,
219
Toddy, 144
Tree, 144
Wild, 130
CATADONTID^, 411
CATARRHINI,
or
Caucasian,
Family, 26
39
White
'
CAVIID^:, 241
Cavy, 241
Cawquaw, 239
CENTETID.E, 100
CERCOPITHECID.E, 53
CERCOPITHECIN.E, 53
CERCOPITHECUS, 53
CERVID.E
:
CERVID^E
(continued)
INDEX
FELID^E
(continued)
459
460
Magot, 55
INDEX
INDEX
PINNIPEDIA
461
462
Shrew, Elephant, 100
INDEX
to desk
i$^pjj
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.'-
4
DEC 1 6 1353
MAYS
1955
APR 2 11955
LD
21-100m-7,'52(A2528sl6)476
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