UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL mil 00022230079 ///. t JmM Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://archive.org/details/illustratednaturwood Wood's Natural History A PACK OF JACKALS HUNTING AT NIGHT ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HISTORY By the Rev. J. G. WOOD Arranged for Young Readers PHILADELPHIA HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY COPYRIGHT 1897 BY HENRY ALTEMUS NATURAL HISTORY. QUADRUMANA. This section includes the apes, baboons and monkeys. The name Quadrumana is given to these animals because, in addition to two hands like those of man, their feet are also formed like hands, and are capable of grasping the branches among which most monkeys pass their lives. Apes are placed at the head because their instinct is su- perior to that of the baboons and monkeys. Baboons are usually sullen and ferocious when arrived at their full growth, and monkeys are volatile and mischievous. The first in order, as well as the largest of the apes, is the enormous ape from Western Africa, the Gorilla. The first writer to bring the Gorilla before the notice of the public seems to be Mr. Bowdich, the African traveller; for it is evidently of the Gorilla that he speaks under the name of Ingheena. The natives of the Gaboon and its vicinity use the name Gina when mentioning the Gorilla. The tales told of the habits, the gigantic strength, and tbe general appearance of the Ingheena, are precisely those which are attributed to the Gorilla. Such a deed as the capture of an adult Gorilla has never been attempted, much less achieved, by the human in- habitants of the same land. There are many reasons for this circumstance. In the first place, the negroes, seeing that the Gorilla is possessed of gigantic strength, conceive that the animal must be inspirited by the soul of one of their kings ; for in the lower stages of man's progress he (7) 8 NATURAL HISTORY. does honor to physical force alone, and values his ruler in proportion to his power, brutality and heartlessness. The task of capturing a living and full-grown Gorilla is well calculated to appall the heart of any man. The strength, the activity and the cunning of the animal are so great, that the uncivilized Africans may well be excused for their dread of its powers. The outline of the Gorilla's face is most brutal in char- acter, and entirely destroys the slight resemblance to the human countenance which the full form exhibits. As in the chimpanzee, an ape which is placed in the same genus with the Gorilla, the color of the hair is nearly black ; but in some lights, and during the life of the animal, it assumes a lighter tinge of grayish brown, on account of the admix- ture of variously colored hairs. On the top of the head, and the side of the cheeks, it assumes a grizzly hue. The length of the hair is not very great, considering the size of the animal, and is not more than three inches in length. As to the habits of the Gorilla, many conflicting tales have been told. In order to settle the disputed questions, Mr. Winwoode Reade undertook a journey to Africa, where he remained for a considerable time. After careful investigation he sums up the history of the animal as fol- lows : " The ordinary cry of the Gorilla is of a plaintive char- acter, but in rage it is a sharp, hoarse bark, not unlike the roar of a tiger. The negroes' account of the ape's ferocity scarcely bears out those afforded by Drs. Savage and Ford. They deny that the Gorilla ever attacks man without provocation. ' Leave Njina alone,' they say, ' and Njina leave you alone.' But when the Gorilla, surprised while feeding or asleep, is suddenly brought to bay, he goes round in a kind of half-circle, keeping his eyes fixed on the man, and uttering a complaining, uneasy cry. If the hunter shoots at him, and the gun misses fire, or if the ape is wounded, he will sometimes run away ; sometimes, Gorillas at Home. (9) 10 NATURAL HISTORY. however, he will charge, with his fierce look, his lowered lip, his hair falling on his brow. He does not, however, appear to be very agile, for the hunters frequently escape from him. " His charge is made on all-fours ; he seizes the offensive object, and dragging it into his mouth, bites it. The story of his crushing a musket-barrel between his teeth is gen- eral, and a French officer told me that a gun was exhibited at the French settlements in the Gaboon, twisted ' comme une papillote.' I heard a great deal about men being killed by Gorillas, but wherever I went I found that the story retreated to tradition. That a man might be killed by a Gorilla I do not affect to doubt for a moment, but that a man has not been killed by one within the memory of the living I can most firmly assert. " I once saw a man who had been wounded by a Gorilla. It was a Mohaga hunter, who piloted me in the forests of Ngumbi. His left hand was completelv crippled, and the marks of teeth were visible on the wrist. I asked him to show me exactly how the Gorilla attacked him. I was to be the hunter, he the Gorilla. I pretended to shoot at him. He rushed towards me on all-fours, and seizing my wrist with one of his hands, dragged it to his mouth, bit it, and then made off. So, he said, the Njina had done to him. It is by these simple tests that one can best arrive at truth among the negroes. That which I can attest from my own personal experience in my unsuccessful attempts to shoot a Gorilla is as follows : I have seen the nests of the Gorillas. I cannot say positively whether they are used as beds, or only as lying-in couches. I have repeat- edly seen the tracks of the Gorillas, and could tell by the tracks that the Gorilla goes habitually on all-fours. " I have never seen the tracks of so many as two Gorillas in company. I have seen a young Gorilla and a young chimpanzee in a domestic state. They were equally do- cile. I have seen the dung of the Gorilla, which resembles GORILLA. 11 that of a man ; and I can say positively that the Gorilla sometimes runs away from man, for I have been near enough to hear one run away from me. I heard that sometimes a family of Gorillas will ascend a tree and will Chimpanzee. eat a certain fruit till they become gorged, like turkey- buzzards. The old father remains seated at the foot of the tree. If you can approach close enough to shoot him, you may then kill the rest of the family at your ease. 12 NATURAL HISTORY. A full-grown male gorilla, standing perfectly upright, will measure more than six feet in height. As in the chimpan- zee, there are distinct eyebrows on the forehead and lashes to the lids of the eyes. The neck is short, the forehead re- treating, the nose flat, the arms very long and strong, the jaws enormous with large canine teeth. The body is cover- ed with iron-gray hair, while the hair on the head is red- dish. Its favorite food is the wild sugar-cane and nuts. When attacked by hunters, it beats its breast with its huge paws, gives terrible roars, and if not fatally wounded at once, flings itself on the hunter, crushing him. The Chimpanzee is a native of Western Africa. Large bands congregate together and unite in repelling an in- vader, which they do with sucli fury and courage that even the elephant and lion are driven from their haunts by their united efforts. They live principally on the ground, and spend much of their time in caves and under rocks. Their height is from four to five feet. They do not reach this growth until ten years of age. Several young Chimpanzees that have been captured have shown themselves verj' docile and gentle. The Orang-outan inhabits Borneo and Sumatra. This is the largest of all the apes, as it is said they have been obtained above five feet in height. The strength of this animal is tremendous. Its arms are of extraordinary length, the hands reaching the ground when it stands erect. This length of arm is admirably adapted for climb- ing trees, on which it principally resides. The following account is given of the Orangs of Borneo : " The Orangs are dull and slothful, and on no occasion, when pursuing them, did they move so fast as to preclude my keeping pace with them easily enough through a moderately clear forest ; and even Avhen obstructions be- low (such as wading up to the neck) allowed them to get away some distance, they were sure to stop and allow us to come up. I never observed any attempt at defense: Orangs in their Native Woods. (13 ^ 14 NATURAL HISTORY. and the wood, which rattled about our ears, was broken by their weight, and not thrown, as some persons repre- sent. If pushed to extremity, however, they are formida- ble ; and one unfortunate man, who was trying to catch one alive, lost two of his fingers, besides being severely bitten on the face, while the animal finally beat off his pursuers and escaped. When they wish to catch an adult they cut down a circle of trees round the one on which he is seated, and then fell that also, and close before he can recover himself, and endeavor to bind him. " The rude hut which they build in the trees would be more properly called a seat, or nest, for it has no roof or cover of any sort. The facility with which they form this seat is curious. I saw a wounded female weave the branches together and seat herself in a minute. She afterwards received our fire without moving, and expired in her lofty abode, whence it cost us much trouble to dis- lodge her." The great difference between the kassar and the pappan (as the natives name them) in size proves the distinction of the two species ; the kassar being a small slight animal, by no means formidable in his appearance, with hands and feet proportioned to the body, and they do not ap- proach the gigantic extremities of the pappan either in size or power ; a moderately strong man would readily overpower one, when he would not stand a chance with the pappan. I saw a young Orang. It had a very small and very rotund body, to which were* affixed very long and slender limbs. Its face was like that of an old miser, thoroughly wearied of life, and contemplating surrounding objects with a calm but derisive pity. It possessed in a high degree the expressive mobile character of the lips, which appeared to express its feel- ings much in the same manner as do the ears of a horse. When it was alarmed or astonished at any object it was KAHAU. 16 accustomed to shoot out both its lips, and to form its mouth into a trumpet kind of shape. A snail would make him produce this contortion of countenance. The creature was very tame, and delighted in walking about the garden leaning on the arm of its keeper, and if any lady would venture to be its guide, it appeared exceedingly happy. When young the Orang is very docile, and has been taught to make its own bed, and to handle a cup and saucer, or a spoon, with tolerable propriety. It not only laid its own bedclothes smooth and comfortable, but ex- hibited much ingenuity in stealing blankets from other beds, which it added to its own. A young Orang evinced extreme horror at the sight of a small tortoise, and, when the reptile was placed in its den, stood aghast in a terri- fied attitude, with its eyes intently fixed on the frightful object. The Agile Gibbon is a .native of Sumatra. It derives its name of Agile from the wonderful activity it displays in launching itself through the air from branch to branch. One of these creatures sprang with the greatest ease through a distance of eighteen feet; and when apples or nuts were thrown to her while in the air, she would catch them without discontinuing her course. She kept up a succession of springs, hardly touching the branches in her progress, continually uttering a musical but almost deaf- ening cry, She was very tame and gentle, and would permit herself to be caressed. The height of the Gibbon is about three feet, and the reach of the extended arms about six feet. There are several species of Gibbon. The Kahau, a native of Borneo, derives its name from the cry it utters, which is a repetition of the word " Kahau." It is remarkable for the size and shape of its nose, and while leaping it holds that organ with its paws, apparently to guard it against the branches. Its length, from the head to the tip of the tail, is a little lb NATURAL HISTORY. over four feet, and its general color is a sandy red, relieved by yellow cheeks and a yellow stripe over the shoulders. Baboons are distinguished from the apes by their short tails. The Mandrill, the most conspicuous of the tribe, is a native of Guinea and Western Africa, and is chiefly remarkable for the vivid colors with which it is adorned. Its checks are of a brilliant blue, its muzzle of a bright scarlet, and a stripe of crimson runs along the center of its nose. These colors are agreeably contrasted by the purple hues of the hinder quarters. It lives in forests tilled with brushwood, from which it makes incursions into the nearest villages, plundering them with impunity. On this account it is much dreaded by the natives, who feel themselves incapable of resisting its attacks. It is excessively ferocious, and easily excited to anger. The greenish-brown color of the hair of this and other monkeys is caused by the alternate bands of yellow and black, which exist on each hair.- The brilliant colors re- ferred to above belong to the skin, and fade away entirely after death, becoming paler when the animal is not in perfect health. The American Monkeys are found exclusively in South America, and are never seen north of Panama. Their tails are invariably long, and, in some genera, prehensile. The Coaita is one of the Spider Monkeys, so called from their long, slender limbs, and their method of pro- gressing among the branches. The tail seems to answer the purpose of a fifth hand, as it is capable of being used for every purpose to which the hand could be applied; indeed, the Spider Monkeys are said to use this member for hooking out objects where a hand could not be in- serted. The tail is of use in climbing among the branches of trees : they coil it round the boughs to lower or raise themselves, and often will suspend themselves entirely by it, and then by a more powerful impetus swing off' to some distant branch. The habits of all the Spider Mon- UOAITA. 17 fceys are very similar. They are sensitive to cold, and when chilly wrap their tails about them, so that this useful organ answers the purpose of a boa as well as a hand. ■m Baboox. They will also, when shot, fasten their tails so firmly on the branches that they remain suspended after death. The great length of their tails enables them to walk in the erect attitude better than most monkeys. In walking they cast their tails upwards as high as the shoulders, and then 18 NATURAL HISTORY bend them over so as to form a counterbalance against the weight of the body, which is thrown very much forward in that and most other monkeys. The senus is called Ateles, or imperfect, because in most of the species the thumb is wanting. The Coaita inhabits Surinam and Guinea. The Howling Monkeys are larger and not so agile as- the Spider Monkeys, and are chiefly remarkable for the peculiarity from which they derive their name. They possess an enlargement in the throat, composed of several valvular pouches, which apparatus renders their cry loud and mournful. They howl in concert at the rising and setting of the sun; one monkey begins the cry, which is taken up by the rest, precisely as may be observed in a colony of rooks. They are in great request among the natives as articles of food, their slow habits rendering them an easy prey. The Ursine Howler is common in Brazil, where fifty have been seen on one tree. They travel in files, an old monkey taking the lead, and the others following in due order. They feed principally on leaves and fruit ; the tail -is prehensile. The Marmoset is a most interesting little creature. It is very sensitive to cold, and when in America is usually occupied in nestling among the materials for its bed, which it heaps up in one corner, and out of which it sel- dom entirely emerges. It will eat almost any article of food, but is fond of insects. It will also eat fruits. Its fondness for insects has been carried so far, that it has been known to pinch out the figures of beetles in entomological work, and swallow them. This little Monkey is also called the Ouistiti, from its peculiar whistling cry when alarmed or provoked. The Lemurs derive their name from their nocturnal habits and their noiseless movements. The Ruffled Le- mur is a native of Madagascar. It lives in the depths of BLENDER LOEIS. 19 the forests, and only moves by night, the entire day being spent in sleep. Its food consists of fruits, insects and Marmosets. email birds, which latter it takes while they are sleeping. This is the largest of the Lemurs, being rather larger than a cat. The Slender Loris is a native of India, Ceylon, etc. Ai NATURAL HISTORY. Like the Lemur, it seldom moves by day, but prowla about at night in search of food. No sooner does it spy a % sleeping bird than it slowly advances until within reach , then putting forward its paw with a motion slow and im- perceptible as the movement of the shadow on the dial, i;> gradually places its fingers over the devoted bird ; then, with a movement swifter than the eye can follow, it seizes its startled prey. BATS: WING-HANDED ANIMALS. "We now arrive at the Bats. The usual food of Bats is insects, which they mostly capture on the wing, but some, as the Vampires, suck blood from other animals, and a few, as the Kalong, or Ftying Fox, live upon fruits, and so devastate the mango crops that the natives are forced to cover them with bamboo baskets. Even the cocoa-nut is not secure from their depredations. The membrane of the Bat's wing is plentifully supplied with nerves, and is extremely sensitive, almost appearing to supply a sense independent of sight. Many Bats pos- sess a similar membrane on the nose, which is possibly used for the same purpose. The object of the elongation of the finger-joints is to give the animal the power of extending the wing mem- brane or folding it at pleasure. The thumb-joint has no part of the wing attached to it, but is left free, and is armed with a hook at the extremity, by means of which it is enabled to drag itself along in that singular vacillating hobble which constitutes a Bat's walk. There are five sub-families of Bats, according to Gray, each tribe including many genera. The British Museum alone possesses eighty genera. The Vampire Bat is a native of South America, where it is very common, and held in some dread. It lives on the blood of animals, and sucks usually while its victim 21 sleeps. The extremities, where, the blood flows freely, as the toe of a man, the ears of a horse, or the combs and wattles of fowls, are its favorite spots. When it has selected ifMfi ':■ '■■ ; ■. '" ■■;■■'■ a subject on which it intends to feed, it watches until the animal is fairly asleep. It then carefully fans its vic- tim with its wings while it bites a little hole in the ear or a — Natural History 22 NATURAL HISTORY. shoulder, and through this small aperture, into which a pin's head would scarcely pass, it contrives to abstract suf- ficient blood to make a very ample meal. The wound is so small, and the Bat manages so adroitly, that the victim does not discover that anything has happened until the morning, when blood betrays the visit of the Vampire. The wound made by the bat's teeth is no larger than that made by a needle, and hardly penetrates the skin, so that the blood must be extracted by suction. There have been very different accounts of the Vampires from travel- ers, some denying that they suck blood at all, and others narrating circumstantially the injuries inflicted upon their own persons. The cause for these discrepancies is due to the constitution of the narrators, there being some persons whom a Vampire will not touch, while others are con- stantly victimized. The length of its body is six inches. The Long-eared Bat is found in most parts of Europe. It may be seen any warm evening flying about in search of insects, and uttering its peculiar shrill cry. The ears are about an inch and a half in length, and have a fold in them reaching almost to the lips. This Bat is very easily tamed, and will take flies and other insects from the hand. When the Long-eared Bat is suspended by its hinder claws, it assumes a most singular aspect. The beautiful long ears are tucked under its wings, which envelop great part of its body. The tragus, or pointed membrane visi- ble inside the ear, is then exposed, and appears to be the actual ear itself, giving the creature a totally different cast of character. QUADRUPEDS. The former sections have been characterized by the number and properties of the hands. In this section the hands have been modified into feet. At the head of the quadrupeds, or four-footed animals, are placed the car- LION. 2li nivora, or flesh-eaters, and at the head of the carnivora, the Felida?, or cat kind are placed, as being the most per- fect and beautiful in that section. The Felidse all take their prey by creeping as near as they can without obser- vation, and then springing upon their victim, which sel- dom succeeds in making its escape, as the powerful claws and teeth of its enemy usually dash it insensible to the ground. The jaws of the Felidse are powerful, and their teeth long and sharp. Their claws are necessarily very long, curved and sharp, and to prevent them from being injured by coming into contact with the ground they are retracted, when not in use, into a sheath, which guards them and keeps them sharp. There are five claws on the fore-feet, and four on the hinder feet. The tongue is very rough, as may be proved by feeling the tongue of a cat. This roughness is occasioned by innumerable little hooks which cover the tongue, point backwards, and are used for the purpose of licking the flesh off the bones of their prey. The bristles of the mouth or whiskers are each connected with a large nerve, and are useful in indicating an obstacle when the animal prowls by night. Their eyes are adapted for nocturnal vision by the dilating power of the pupil, which expands so as to take in every ray of light. The Lion stands at the head of the wild beasts. His noble and dignified bearing, the terrific power compressed into his comparatively small frame, and the deep majesty of his voice, have gained for him the name of " king of beasts." The Lion inhabits Africa and certain parts of Arabia and Persia, and some parts of India. It varies in appearance according to the locality, but there is little doubt that there is but one species. The roar of the Lion is one of its chief peculiarities , the best description of it is in Gordon Cumming's Adventures: "One of the most striking things connected with the Lion is his voice, which is extremely grand and peculiarly 24 NATURAL HISTORY. striking. It consists, at times, of a low, deep moaning, repeated five or six times, ending in faintly-audible sighs; at other times he startles the forest with loud, deep-toned, solemn roars, repeated five or six times in quick succession, each increasing in loudness to the third or fourth, when his voice dies away in five or six low, muffled sounds, very much resembling distant thunder. At times a troop may be heard roaring in concert, one assuming the lead, and two, three, or four more regularly taking up their parts, like persons singing a catch." The opinion that Lions will not touch a dead animal its erroneous, as they were frequently shot by Gordon Cum- ming while devouring gnoos, etc., that had fallen by his rifle. Lions who have once tasted human flesh are most to be dreaded, as they will even venture to spring in among a company of men and seize their victim. They are called Man-eaters. The Lioness is much smaller than the Lion, and is desti- tute of the mane which is so great an ornament to her mate. As a rule she is more fierce and active than the male, especially before she has had cubs, or while she is suckling them. She has usually from two to four cubs at a time. They are beautiful, playful little things, and are slightly striped. They have no mane until about two years- old. While her cubs are small the Lioness knows no fear, and will attack a company of men, or a herd of oxen, if they come too near her den. The cubs are re- markably heavy for their age. The Lion when young is easily tamed, and shows an attachment to its keeper. Those who have visited men- ageries will know what influence man may obtain over this powerful creature. There is one remarkable difference in the characters of the feline and canine tribes. If a man is overcome by a wolf or dog, the animal mangles its foe until life is extinct. A do? killing a rat is a good instance of this trait of char- Lion and Lioness. (25) 26 NATURAL HISTORY* acter. But if a lion or any other feline animal vanquishes a man it contents itself with the victory for some time without making any attempt to injure him, unless he tries to escape, in which case he is again dashed to the earth, and probably bitten as a warning. A cats treats a mouse as a lion treats a man. This propensity in the Lion has been the cause of saving many lives, the men having been able either to destroy their foe by cautiously getting out a weapon, or by lying still until they were succored. At the extremity of the Lion's tail there is a small hook or claw, which has been represented as the means by which the animal lashes itself into fury, using it as a spur. This is impossible, as the claw or prickle is very small, not fixed to the bone as the claws of the feet are, but merely attached to the skin, and falls off if roughly handled. It is not present in all lions. The Tiger is a magnificent animal, found only in Asia, Hindostan being the part most infested by it. In size it is almost equal to the Lion, its height being nearly four feet, and its length rather more than eight feet. It has no mane, but is decorated with black stripes, upon a ground of red- dish-yellow fur, which becomes almost white on the under parts of the body. The chase of the Tiger is a favorite sport in India. The hunters assemble, mounted on ele- phants trained to the sport, and carry with them a supply of loaded rifles in their carriages mounted on the elephants backs. Thus armed, they proceed to the spot where a tiger has been seen. The animal is usually found hidden in the long grass or jungle, which is frequently eight or more feet in height, and when roused it endeavors to creep away under the grass. The movement of the leaves betrays him, and he is checked by a rifle-ball aimed at him through the jungle. Finding that he cannot escape without being seen, he turns round and springs at the nearest elephant, mdeavoring to clamber up it and attack the party. This ■Hip L v/fi fit? ■■■■■'• .■ .'■■.', In ■ ' , 28 NATURAL HISTORY. is the dangerous part of the proceedings, as many ele- phants will turn round and run away, despite the efforts of their drivers to make them face the Tiger. Should the elephant stand firm a well-directed ball checks the tiger in his spring, and he then endeavors again to escape, but a volley of rifle-balls from the backs of the other elephants, who by this time have come up, lays the savage animal prostrate, and in a very short time his skin decorates the successful marksman's carriage. Tigers are usually taken in pitfalls at the bottom ot which is planted a bamboo stake, the top of which is sharpened into a point. The animal falls on the point, and is impaled. Tigers can be tamed as easily as the lion ; but great caution must be used with all wild ani- mals, as in a moment of irritation their savage nature breaks out, and the consequences have more than once proved fatal. The coloring of the tiger is a good instance of the man- ner in which animals are protected by the similarity of their external appearance to the particular locality in which they reside. The stripes on the tiger's skin so exactly resemble the long jungle-grass among which it lives that it is impossible for unpracticed eyes to discern the animal at all, even when the body is exposed. The Leopard is an inhabitant of Africa, India and the Indian Islands. A black variety inhabits Java, and is not uncommon there. Its height is about two feet. This and the following FelidaB are accustomed to live much on trees, and are on that account called Tree-tigers by the natives. Nothing can be more beautiful than the elegant and active manner in which the Leopards sport among the branches of the trees : at one time they will bound from branch to branch with such rapidity that the eye can scarcely follow them ; then, as if tired, they will suddenly stretch them- selves along a branch, so as to be hardly distinguishable from the bark, but start up again on the slightest provoca- 30 NATURAL HISTORY. tion, and again resume their graceful antics. It is easily tamed, and expresses great fondness for its keeper, and will play with him like a cat. It is fond of some scents, especially preferring lavender water, by means of which predilection it has been taught to perform several tricks. The Leopard and Panther are considered as the same animal. The Jaguar inhabits America. It is larger and more powerful than the leopard, which it resembles in color, but has a black streak across the chest, and a black spot in the center of the rosettes. It is fond of climbing trees, and finds little difficulty in ascending, even when the trunk is smooth and destitute of branches. It chases monkeys successfully, and is said to watch for turtles on the beach, and to scoop out their flesh by turning them on their backs and inserting its paws between the shells. Nor does it confine its attention to the turtles themselves, for it watches them lay their eggs and then scoops them out of the sand with its claws. It makes havoc among the sheepfolds, and is said to depart so far from the usual habits of the Felida? as to enter the water after fish, and to capture them in the shallows by striking them out of the water with a blow of its paw. The domestic cat has been seen to act in the same manner. When it captures one of the larger animals it destroys it by leaping upon its back and twisting the head of its prey round until the neck is dislocated. The Puma is found throughout South America and a great part of North America. It is known in Spanish American countries as the American lion, and in the United States as the catamount or wild-cat, and vulgarly as "painter" (a corruption of "panther"). The adult male is about five feet long, has a thick fur, brown above and grayish-white beneath, with the ears and tail nearly black, and sometimes partially striped along the sides. It PUMA. 31 climbs trees and usually lies along the branches, where its uniform dusky fur renders it so like the bark that it can scarcely be distinguished from the branch. It lives The Puma. chiefly upon deer, and has a shrill scream ; is cowardly, and does not voluntarily attack man, but makes a desper- ate resistance to the hunter. It is easily tamed, and be- comes ouite docile 32 NATURAL HISTORY. The Ocelot, one of the Tiger-cats, is a native of Mexico and Peru. Its height is about eighteen inches, and its length about three feet. It is a beautiful animal, and easily tamed. When in a wild state it lives principally on monkeys, which it takes by stratagem. The domestic Cat was formerly supposed to be the same animal as the Wild Cat, but it is now proved to be a dis- tinct species, and the difference is seen at once by the form of the tail. That of the domestic Cat is long and taper, while that of the wild cat is bushy and short. ' The Cat is known to us as a persevering mouse-hunter. So strong is the passion for hunting in the breast of the Cat that she has been known to chase hares. This instinctive desire of hunting seems to be implanted in cats at a very early age. I have seen kittens, but just able to see, bristle up at the touch of a mouse, and growl in a terrific manner if disturbed. The Cat displays great affection for her kittens, and her pride when they first run about is amusing. Cats are very fond of aromatic plants. My own cat has just been discovered in the act of eating the green tops of a musk-plant that was standing in the window. Valerian appears to be the great attraction for cats, and where it is planted cats will come in numbers, roll over it, and scratch up the plant until there is not a vestige of it left. There are several varieties of the domestic cat, among which the Angora Cats, with their beautiful long fur, and the Manx Cats, which have no tails, are the most con- spicuous. The Lynxes are remarkable for the pencil of hairs which tufts their sharply pointed ears. The Canada Lynx is re- markable for its gait. Its method of progression is by bounds from all four feet at once, with the back arched. It feeds principally on hares, as it lacks courage to attack the larger quadrupeds. Its length is about three feet. The Indians sometimes eat its flesh, which is white and 34 NATURAL BIS TOBY. firm, and not unlike that of the hare. Its skin forms ar article of commerce. The Chetah, or Hunting Leopakd, as it is sometimes called, is one of the most elegant and graceful animals known. It is a native both of Africa and India, but it is only in the latter country that it is used for hunting game. The method of employing it is as follows : The Chetah is usually blindfolded and placed upon a cart, and taken as near as possible to the place where deer are feeding. When close enough, the hunter takes the band from its eyes and directs its head towards the game. Directly the Chetah sees the deer it creeps off the cart and makes towards them as rapidly and silently as it can, carefully availing itself of the cover of a bush or stone, precisely as a cat does when stealing after a bird. When it has succeeded in ap- proaching the unsuspecting herd, it makes two or three tremendous springs and fastens on the back of one unfor- tunate deer brings it to the ground, and waits until its keeper comes up, who induces it to leave its prey by a ladlefull of blood, which he takes care to have ready. The Chetah is then hooded and led back to his cart. It is so easily tamable and so gentle that it is frequently led for sale about the streets by a string. It is larger than the leopard, and differs from it in the length of its paws, its inability to climb trees, and the crispness of its fur. It is therefore placed in a different genus from the leopard. Hyenas are remarkable for their predatory, ferocious and cowardly habits. There are several Hyenas, the striped, the spotted and the villose, but as the habits of all are very similar only one will be mentioned. The hyenas, although very repulsive in appearance, are yet very use- ful, as they prowl in search of dead animals, and will de- vour them even when putrid, so that they act the same part among beasts that the vultures do among birds, and are equally uninviting in aspect. They not infrequently mm ■IKE' • • - ■ < '- ' lllfti. 36 NATURAL HISTORY. dig up recently-interred corpses. Their jaws and teeth are exceedingly powerful, as they can crush the thigh- bone of an ox with little effort, and so great is the strain upon the bones by the exertions of these muscles that the vertebra? of the neck become anchylosed, that is, become united together, and the animal has a perpetual stiff neck in consequence. The skull, too, is very strong, and fur- nished with heavy ridges for the support of the muscles which move the jaw. Its hinder parts are very small, and give it a strange shambling appearance when walking. It is easily tamed, and even domesticated. The striped Hyena is found in many parts of Asia and Africa, where it is both a benefit and a pest, for when dead animals fail it the flocks and herds are ravaged, and even man does not always escape. The Civets are active little animals, averaging about two feet in length. The whole group is celebrated for the perfume which is secreted in a glandular pouch near the tail, and is of some importance in commerce. The Civet is only found in North Africa, especially in Abyssinia, where it takes up its abode on uncultivated and barren hills. It feeds upon birds and the smaller quadrupeds, which it takes by surprise. The Ichneumons, or Mangousts, well deserve their name of Creepers, for with their long bodies and snouts, their short limbs and slender tails, they insinuate themselves into every crevice in their way in search of their expected food. Few animals are more useful than the Ichneumons. Snakes, lizards, crocodiles' eggs, or even young crocodiles themselves, form their principal food, and their activity is so great that, when these sources fail, they are able to se- cure birds, and even seize upon the swift and wary lizards, which, when alarmed, dart off like streaks of green light- glancing through the bushes* 9 Natural Histor» 38 NATURAL HISTORY. The Egyptian Ichneumon, or Pharaoh's Rat, as it is sometimes called, is a native of North Africa, and is often domesticated for the purpose of destroying the various snakes and other reptile annoyances which are such a pest in the houses of hot countries. Its length without the tail is about eighteen inches. The Dog Family includes Dogs, Wolves, Jackals and Foxes. The first of the Dogs is the Kolsun or Dhale, which inhabits Bombay and Nepaul. It hunts in packs, as most of the dogs do even in a wild state, and has" been known to destroy tigers and chetahs. The Newfound- land Dog is a magnificent creature, and was originally brought from Newfoundland. It is often confounded with the Labrador Dog, a larger, and more powerful animal, Both these dogs are trained by their native masters to draw sledges and little carriages, and on that account are highly esteemed. The Newfoundland is well known as a faithful guardian of its master's property. It is fond of the water, and will fetch out any article that its master in- dicates and lay it at his feet. Many instances are known of this noble animal saving the lives of people that have fallen into the water, and must have perished but for its timely aid. It is one of the largest of the dogs, standing nearly twenty-six inches in height. The Bloodhound, of which there are several varieties, inhabits Cuba, Africa and England. They are all en- dowed with a wonderfully acute sense of smell, and can trace a man or animal with almost unerring certainty. The Cuban Bloodhound was employed by the Spaniards to hunt down the natives while endeavoring to escape from their invasions. The Foxhound and Beagle are not very dissimilar in form or in habits. They both follow game by the scent v and are used in hunting, The Foxhound, as its name 40 NATURAL HISTORY. implies, is used for hunting the fox, and enters into the sport with great eagerness. Its height is about twenty-two inches. The Beagle is used principally for hare-hunting. It is much smaller than the Foxhound, and not nearly so swift, but its scent is so perfect that it follows every track of the flying hare, unravels all her windings, and seldom fails to secure her at last. Sportsmen usually prefer the smallest beagles obtainable. The most valuable pack of these dogs known used to be carried to and from the field in a pair of panniers slung across a horse's back. It is a common custom in the military schools, and at the universities, to follow the beagle on foot. There is a society near London who thus hunt on foot. As too much time would be lost in looking for a living hare, a dead rabbit is trailed along the ground, and as its fur has been rubbed with aniseed, the dogs can follow it easily. The Pointer is used by sportsmen to point out the spot where the game lies. It ranges the fields until it scents the hare or partridge lying close on the ground. It then remains still, as if carved in stone, every limb fixed, and the tail pointing straight behind it. In this attitude it remains until the gun is discharged, reloaded, and the sportsman has reached the place where the bird sprang. The Mastiff is distinguished by the shortness of the nose and the breadth of the head. This group includes the mastiff, the bull-dog and the absurd little pug-dog. The breadth of their heads is caused by the large muscles which move the jaw. The Mastiff is generally employed as a house-dog, as its powerful frame and deep voice are well fitted to scare away marauders or to repel them if they approach too near. It is the most sagacious of the whole group, and exhibits more attachment to its master than the others. The Bull-dog is proverbial for courage and endurance, but its social qualities are by no means pleasing, Al« DOG.S. lir^'."' (41 1 42 NATURAL HISTORY. though it has some attachment for its master, yet it is not always safe even for him to disturb it. This dog was ex- tensively used in the cruel sport of bull-baiting, a recrea- tion now extinct. When opposed to the bull the dog would fly at its nose, and there hang in spite of all the infuriated animal's struggles. The Terriers never grow to any considerable size. There are several breeds, the English and Scotch being the most conspicuous. Those dogs are principally used for destroying rats or other vermin, and are so courageous that they do not hesitate to unearth the fox or the badger. Otters are also hunted by them, but prove by no means an easy prey. Terriers are extremely attached to their masters, and are capable of learning many tricks. The Shepherd's dog is a rough, shaggy animal, with sharp-pointed ears and nose. It is an invaluable assist- ant, never suffering the sheep to stray, and when two flocks have mixed it will separate its own charge with the great- est certainty. It understands every look and gesture of its master, and drives the flock to any place which he points out. The Greyhound is the swiftest of all dogs, and is prin- cipally used in the pursuit of the hare. It has but little delicacy of scent, and hunts almost entirely by sight. The hare endeavors to baffle it by making sharp turns, which the dog cannot do on account of its superior size, and has therefore to take a circuit, during which the hare makes off in another direction. The hare also has the property of stopping almost instantaneously when at full speed. It puts this manoeuvre into force when it is nearing its favor- ite hiding-place. It induces the dog to spring upon it, and then suddenly checks itself. The dog is carried twenty feet by its own momentum, and the hare springs to her place of refuge. Wolf. — The Wolf looks much like a large, shaggy dog, and it has been thought by many that the first dogs WOLF. 43 sprung from Wolves. When taken young the Wolf may be tamed, and it shows as much love for its master as the dog does. The Wolf is very swift, and hunts deer and Wolf. other animals in pairs. It is sly and stealthy, and often prowls about lonely farms to catch stray sheep, calves, pigs or fowls, but is also cowardly, and is easily frightened off by the barking of a dog or the sound of a gun. But 44 NATURAL HISTORY. when pressed by hunger it becomes dangerous, and will attack horses and oxen, and even men. In hard winters packs of hungry Wolves come down from the forests of the Alps and other mountains in Europe and commit great ravages ; and many terrible stories have been told of travellers who have been chased by them in great for- ests, especially in Russia and Siberia. In one case a man and his wife, who were riding in a sleigh through the woods, were so hard pressed by Wolves that they saved themselves only by throwing out their children, one by one, to be devoured by the hungry beasts. It is said that in Russia more than two hundred human beings are killed by Wolves every year, and a great many thousands of cattle and sheep. The Gray Wolf, of North America, is usually gray above and yellowish-gray below, but is sometimes nearly white. It is three or four feet long, with a tail about a foot and a half long. Packs of these Wolves follow the buffalo herds on the Western plains, feeding on the sick and straggling ones. The} 7- also attack horses, and some- times men, when very hungry. They were once plentiful in New England, but now only a few are found in moun- tains and thickly-wooded parts. The Indians catch many Gray Wolves in traps, and also kill many by surrounding them in a circle, which they make smaller, little by little, until they get near enough to shoot them. The Prairie Wolf, which the Mexicans call Coyote, is smaller than the Gray Wolf, and is much like the Jackal. The true Wolf has a howl like that of a dog, but the Prairie Wolf has only a kind of snapping bark, whence it is sometimes called the Barking Wolf. It lives in bur- rows on the great Western plains, is very swift, and hunts in packs. The Fox, this terror of hen-roosts and delight of sports- men, is found in many parts of America and many other 46 NATURAL HISTORY, countries. It varies very much in color and size, accord- ing to the country where it lives. The habits of this animal are mostly nocturnal. It lies by Jay concealed in its burrow ; but towards evening it sallies out in search of food, and woe to the hare, rabbit, pheasant or fowl that comes in its way ! Sometimes he steals into the hen-roost, destroys and carries off most of its inmates, some of which he devours on the spot, others he carries home, and the remainder he buries for a future repast. When irritated the Fox gives out a strong, disagreeable scent, which lies so long on the ground that it may be per- ceived for nearly an hour after the Fox has passed. Partly on this account, and partly on account of its speed, endur* ance and cunning, the chase of the Fox is a favorite sport. Weasels are easily distinguished by their long, slender bodies, short muzzle, sharp teeth and predatory habits. They inhabit almost every part of the world, and procure their food by creeping on the unsuspecting victim, gen- erally a rabbit, rat or bird, and then suddenly darting at it and piercing its neck with their sharp teeth. Almost all the Weasels devour the brain and suck the blood of their prey, but seldom touch the flesh, unless they are pressed by hunger. There are two kinds of Martens, named, from their favorite haunts, the Pine and the Beech Marten. The Pine is common in North America, where it is much too fond of chickens and ducklings to be a desirable neighbor. This animal, as well as the Sable, is much sought after on account of its skin, which furnishes a beautiful fur, not much inferior to that of the Sable. The Stoat, or Ermine, is another common animal. It is smaller than the polecat, but its habits are scarcely less predaceous. Hares and rabbits fall easy victims to their little enemv. who dispatches fhpm with « ssinjjlp bite, nene» 7" ' v i 1 1 ;: .-■..- :f. ? ' ■ ■ : ■ ;■ I;----.-. ■■'■ .^•...-.■■' ■..,.., ■,.■■;■■..■.•;: X 5»a» 111 ii v.A ■ & U8 NATURAL HISTORY. The great Greenland Whale is found in the Northern Oceans. Many ships are annually fitted out for the cap- ture of this creature, which furnishes oil and whalebone. The oil is obtained from the thick layer of fatty substance called blubber, which lies under the skin ; and the whale- bone — which, by the way, is not bone at all — is obtained from the interior of the mouth, where it fringes the jaws, and acts as a sieve for the Whale to strain his food through. The throat of the Greenland Whale is so small, that the sailors say that a penny loaf would choke a whale. The greater proportion of its food consists of a little creature, about an inch and a half long, called Clio borealis, one of the marine Mollusca, belonging to the class Pteropida, or wing-footed creatures, so called because it propels itself through the water with two wing-like organs. The Whale, when it wishes to feed, rushes through the water with its immense jaws wide open, inclosing a host of little sea ani- mals and a few hogsheads of water. As the Whale only wants the animals, and not the water, it shuts its mouth and drives all the water out through the fringes of whale- bone, leaving the little creatures in its jaws. The Whale shows great attachment to its young, which is called the cub, and on the approach of danger seizes it with its fin or flipper, and carries it down out of danger. The Whale has no fins, properly so called, as it is not a fish, but one of the mammalia. Its flippers, which supply the place of fins, are in fact fore-legs, furnished with a kind of hand covered with a thick skin. They seem to be principally employed in balancing the animal. The hind- legs are wanting. The length of this Whale averages sixty feet. Its tail is placed transversely, and not vertically, as in the fishes. The Spermaceti Whale is not furnished with " baleen,' ; or whalebone, but is armed with a number of strong coni- cal teeth, which are placed in the lower jaw, and which are often used in defending itself from the attacks of the ■ ■ m 1 1 g— Natural Ilistor] 70 NATURAL HISTORY. whalers' boats. In the Oxford Museum is an under jaw- bone of this Whale, sixteen feet in length, containing forty- eight huge teeth. Besides this method of defense, it has a very unpleasant habit of swimming off to a distance, and then rushing at the boat with its head, thereby knocking it to pieces. One of these Whales actually sank a ship by three or four blows from its head. Spermaceti is obtained from the head of the Wliale, and it is this substance that causes the immense size of the head. When killed, a hole is made in the upper part of the head, and the spermaceti is baled out with buckets. When just procured it is almost fluid, but is rendered solid and transparent by being first drained of its oil, then boiled in water, and lastly set to cool in wide pans, where it soon assumes the white, flaky appearance so well known in this country. The skull occupies but a small portion of the head, the huge mass at the end of the mouth being composed of a gristly kind of substance. The bone of the upper jaw occupies about one-fourth of the distance be- tween the mouth and the top of the snout. It runs back- wards nearly straight until just before the eyes, when it joins the remainder of the skull with a bold sweep. That part of the skull is called " Neptune's Chair " by the sail- ors, and is the part where the spermaceti is found. The la} r er of blubber is thin, but yields a fine and valuable oil. Ambergris, so long a riddle to all inquirers, is now found to be produced in the interior of this Whale. This substance is of the consistency of wax, inflammable, and gives out a kind of musky odor. It was once in great re- pute as a medicine, but is now only used as a perfume. Although an inhabitant of the Arctic seas, it has some- times been found and captured off the English coasts. The length of this Whale is about seventy feet. Those readers who have formed their ideas of Dolphins from the very graceful and elegant creatures represented S^-vW.f^SSPV'Wv *'lfllll .Ml , 72 NATURAL HISTORY. under that name in the pictures of the "old masters," will find that the real animal differs greatly from the ideal. Almost the whole history of the Dolphin is imaginary — ■ very poetical, but very untrue. Our Dolphin, when we have harpooned and brought him on deck, is only black and white, and all the change that he makes is that the black becomes brown in time, and the white changes to gray. The creature that really displays colors when dying is a fish called the Coryphene. The sailors generally call it the Dolphin, which has led to the mistake. The Dolphin is, like the Whale, a warm-blooded animal, suckles its young, and is forced to come to the surface in order to breathe. Its snout is very long, and is apparently used for capturing such fish and other animals as live in the mud. The length is from six to ten feet. Several species are known. Porpoises may be observed in plenty playing their ab- surd antics off every coast of America. They frequent the mouths of rivers, because the}'- find more food there than in the open sea. They tumble at the surface of the water for the purpose of breathing. In the olden times, when glass windows were consid- ered a luxury, and rushes supplied the place of carpets, the flesh of the Porpoise constituted one of the delicacies of a feast, but it has long since been deposed from rank at the table. Its flesh has a very strong, oily flavor. The Porpoise feeds on various fishes, but its great feasts are held when the periodical shoals of herrings, pilchards, and other fish arrive on the coasts. In the pursuit of its prey, it frequently ventures some distance up a river, and is then often taken in nets by the fishermen. Its teeth are numerous, and interlock when the jaws are closed, so that the fish when once seized cannot escape. Its length is about five feet; its color a rich black, be- coming white on the under side. RODENTIA. 73 The Narwhal unwittingly contributed to propagate a very old error. Its spiral tusk used to be sold as the real horn of the unicorn ; and as an accredited part of that animal, forming direct proof of its existence, it used to fetch a high price. When the Whale fishery was estab- lished, the real owner of the horn was discovered, and the unicorn left still enveloped in mystery. The Narwhal possesses two tusks, one on each side of its head. Only the left tusk projects, the other remaining within the head. Sometimes a specimen has been found with both tusks projecting, and some think that when the left tusk has been broken off by accident, the right one be- comes large enough to supply its place. Although an in- habitant of the northern seas, it has several times visited English coasts. Its body is from thirty to forty feet in length, and its tusk from five to nine. The Rodentia, or gnawing animals, are so called from their habit of gnawing through, or paring away, the sub- stances on which they feed. For this purpose their teeth are admirably formed, and by these teeth it is always easy to ascertain a member of the Rodents. They have none of those sharp teeth called canine, such as are seen in the Lions and in those animals which seize and destroy living animals, but in the front of each jaw there are two long, flat teeth, slightly curved, and having a kind of chisel- edge for rasping away wood or other articles. The constant labor which these teeth undergo would rapidly wear them away. To counteract this loss, the teeth are constantly growing and being pushed forward, so that as fast as the upper part is worn away the tooth is replenished from below. So constant is this increase that, when an unfortunate rabbit or other rodent has lost one of its incisors, the opposite one, meeting nothing to stop its progress, continually grows, until sometimes the tooth curls upwards over the lips and prevents the wretched animal from eating, until it. is gradually starved to death, 74 NATURAL HISTORY. The Brown Rat, sometimes called the Norway Rat, is the species usually found in England and America. It was imported into England and from thence here, and from its superior size, strength, and ferocity, has com- pletely established itself and expelled the original Black Rat, It is at all times difficult to get rid of these dirty, noisy animals, for they soon learn to keep out of the way of traps, and if they are poisoned they revenge their fate by dying behind a wainscot or under a plank of the floor, and make the room uninhabitable. There are, however, two ways recommended to attain the desired object: Place a saucer containing meal in a room frequented by Rats, letting them have free access to it for several days. They will then come to it in great force. When they hav« thus been accustomed to feed there regularly, mix a quan- tity of jalap with the meal, and put it in the accustomed place. This will give them such internal tortures that they will not come near the place again. A second plan is to mix phosphorus with the meal and make it into a ball. The phosphorus is said not to kill the Rats, but to afflict them with such a parching thirst that they rush to the nearest water and die there. By this method the danger of their dying in the house is avoided. The Common Mouse is so well known that a description of its form and size is useless. It almost rivals the Rat in its attacks upon our provisions, and is quite as difficult to extirpate. It brings up its young in a kind of nest, and when a board of long standing is taken up in a room, it is not uncommon to find under it a Mouse's nest, composed of rags, string, paper, shavings, and everything that the ingenious little architect can scrape together. It is a round mass, looking something like a rag ball very loosely made. When opened, seven or eight little mice will probably be found in the interior — little, pink, transparent creatures, sprawling about in a most unmeaning manner, apparently SEA VEK. '5 greatly distressed at the sudden cold caused by the open- ing of their nest. A white variety of Mouse is tolerably common, and is usually bred in cages. As it is very tame and beautiful, it is in some repute as a pet. The Harvest Mouse is very much smaller than the or- dinary mouse. Its nest is raised about a foot from the ground, and supported on two or three straws. It is made of grass, about the size of a cricket-ball, and very compact. The Water Rat is common on banks of rivers, brooks, etc. I have watched them feeding, and never saw them eating fish, nor found fish-bones inside their holes, except when a kingfisher had taken possession; but I have seen them gnawing the bark from reeds, which they completely strip, leaving the mark of each tooth as they proceed. North America is the principal country where the Beaver is found, but it is also common on the Euphrates, and along the Rhone and the Danube. The houses of the Beaver are built of mud, stones, and sticks. They are placed in a stream, and their entrance is always below the surface. As a severe frost would freeze up their doors, it is necessary to make the stream deep enough to prevent the frost from reaching the entrances. This object is attained by building a dam across the river, to keep back the water until it is sufficiently deep for the Beaver's purposes. The dam is made of branches, which the Beaver cuts down with its strong, sharp teeth, and mud and stones worked in among the branches. The Beavers throw these branches into the water, and sink them to the bottom by means of stones, and by continually throwing in fresh supplies a strong embankment is soon made. As many Beavers live together in one society, the forma- tion of a dam does not take very long. By their united efforts they rapidly fell even large trees, by gnawing them round the trunk, and always take care to make them fall 76 NATURAL HISTORY. towards the water, so that they can transport the logs easily. The mud and stones used in their embankments are not carried on their tails, as some say, nor do the Beavers use their tails as trowels for laying on the mud, the fact being that the stones and mud are carried between their chin and fore-paws, and the mistake respecting the tail is evidently caused b}^ the slap that Beavers give with that member when they dive. In order that their pond may not be too deep they always leave an opening in the dam to let the water escape when it rises above a certain height. During the severe winter their mud-built houses freeze quite hard, and prevent the Wolverine,their greatest enemy, except man, from breaking through and devouring the in- mates. Every year the Beavers lay a fresh coating of mud upon their houses, so that after the lapse of a few years the walls of the house are several feet in thickness. Many of the houses are built close together, but no two families can communicate with each other except by diving below the walls and rising inside their neighbors' houses. When in captivity the Beaver soon becomes tame, and will industriously build dams across the corner of a room with brushes, boots, fire-irons, books, or anything it can find. When its edifice is finished, it sits in the centre, ap- parently satisfied that it has made a beautiful structure to dam up the river — a proof that the ingenuity of the Beaver is not caused by reason, but by instinct. Its fur consists of a fine wool intermixed with long and stiff hairs. The hairs are useless, but the peculiar con- struction of the fur causes it to penetrate and fix itself into the felt which forms the body of a hat. In making the hat, the only method required to fasten the fur into the felt is to knead the fur and felt together. The hair is toothed on its surfaces, and makes its way into the felt, just as an awn of barley will travel all over the body if placed up the sleeve. The length of the Beaver is about 3£ feet. Beaveks at Wokk en ) 78 NATURAL HISTORY, The Porcupine is found in America, Africa, Tartary, Persia, India and some parts of Europe. It lives in holes which it digs in the ground, and only comes forth at night to feed. It eats vegetable substances only, such as roots, bark and other similar substances. The array of spines or quills with which this animal is covered forms its prin- cipal means of defense. If it cannot escape, it suddenly stops, erects all its quills and runs backwards against its adversary, striking the quills against him by the weight of its body. Occasionally a looser quill than usual re- mains in the wound or falls on the ground, which evi- dently gave rise to the foolish error that the Porcupine could dart its weapons at its adversary from a distance. There are two kinds of these quills — one kind long and curved, the other short, thick and pointed. These last are the weapons of defense, as the former are too slender to do much service. When it walks its quills make a kind of rustling sound, caused principally by those arranged on the tail, which are large, hollow, and supported on large, slender stalks. The Indians use the quills for ornamenting various parts of their dress, especially their moccasins or skin shoes. The length of the Porcupine is about two feet, and its spines or quills are from six to fourteen inches long. The Capybara is the largest of all the Rodentia. At first sight it looks A T ery like a pig, and its skin is covered thinly with hairs like bristles, which add to the resem- blance. It inhabits the borders of lakes and rivers in many parts of South America. During the day it hides among the thick herbage of the banks, only wandering forth to feed at night, but when alarmed it instantly makes for the water, and escapes by diving. It is hunted for the sake of its flesh, which is said to be remarkably good. The food of the Capybara consists of grass, vegetables and fruits. Its length is about forty-two inches. The Guinea-pig was originally brought from South 80 NATURAL HISTORY America. Its beauty is its only recommendation, as it shows little intelligence and is never used for food. Children are fond of keeping them, as they are wonder- fully prolific, easy to manage and do not make much noise. They are supposed to keep off rats, and are there- fore patronized in connection with rabbit-hutches. The Hare is one of our most common quadrupeds. When full-grown it is larger than the Rabbit and exceed- ingly like that animal. But its color is slightly different, and the black spot on the extremity of its ears is a simple method of distinguishing it. It does not burrow like the Rabbit, but makes a kind of nest of grass and other mate- rials. In this nest, called a " form," the Hare lies, crouch- ing to the ground, its ears laid, along its back, and trusting to its concealment, will often remain quiet until the foot of an intruder almost touches it. Innumerable foes besides man surround this animal. Foxes, ferrets, stoats and all their tribe are unmerciful enemies, and sometimes a large hawk will destroy a leveret, as the young Hare is called. Although destitute of all means of defense, it often escapes by the quickness of its hearing and sight, which give it timely warning of the approach of an enemy. In cold countries it changes its fur during winter, and becomes white, like the Arctic Fox and the Ermine. The Rabbit is smaller than the Hare, but closely re- sembles it in form. It lives in deep holes, which it digs in the ground. The female Rabbit forms a soft nest at the bottom of her burrow, composed of fur torn from her body, of hay and dried leaves. Here the young Rabbits are kept until 'they are strong enough to shift for themselves and make their own burrows. The tame Rabbit is only a variety rendered larger by careful feeding and attend- ance. The Gerboas are celebrated for their powers of leaping. Their long; hind-legs enable them to take enormous springs, SQUIRREL. 81 during which their tails serve to balance them. Indeed a Gerboa when deprived of his tail is afraid to leap. In the history of the Polar Bear it was mentioned that its feet were prevented from slipping on the ice by a coat- ing of thick hair. The foot of the Gerboa is defended in the same manner by long, bristly hairs, which gives the creature a firm hold of the ground for its spring, and also defends the foot from the burning soil on which it lives. It is very timid, and on the slightest alarm rushes to its burrow, but if intercepted skims away over the plain with such rapidity that it seems to fly, and when at full speed a swift greyhound can scarcely overtake it. Grain and bulbous loots are its chief food ; while eating it holds the food with its fore paws and sits upright on its haunches, like the Squirrels and Marmots. The Dormouse is common in all the warmer parts of Europe. It lives in copses and among brushwood, through which it makes its way with sach rapidity that it is very difficult to capture. During the winter it lies torpid, but takes care to have a stock of food laid up, on which it feeds during the few interruptions to its slumbers. A warm day in winter will usually rouse it, but during the cold weather it lies rolled up, with its tail curled round its body. While in this state a sudden exposure to heat kills it, but a gentle warmth, such as holding it in the hand, rouses it without injury. It lives principally on haw, acorns and grain. It brings up its young in a nest composed of leaves and hay, and seems to be iond of society in its household labors, as ten or twelve nests have been seen close to each other. The Squirrel is a very common animal in woods, where aumbers may be seen frisking about on the branches, or •mining up and down the trunks. If alarmed it spring*} up the tree and hides behind a branch. By this trick it escapes its enemy the hawk, and by constantly slipping oehind the large branches, frequently tires him out. The 32 NATURAL HISTORY. activity and daring of this little animal are extraordinary. vVhen pursued it makes the most astonishing leaps from branch to branch, or from tree to tree, and has apparently some method of altering its direction while in the air, pos sibly by means of its tail acting as a rudder. It is easily domesticated, and is very amusing in its habits when suffered to go at large in a room or kept in a spacious cage ; but when confined in one of the cruel wheel cages its energies and playfulness are quite lost. Men often go about with squirrels for sale, and generally cheat those who buy them. They try to sell old squirrels for young, but this imposition may be detected by look- ing at the teeth of the animal, which are nearly white if young, but if old are of a light yellow. The purchaser should beware of very tame and quiet squirrels. These are generally animals just caught and perfectly wild, but made sedate by a dose of opium. Its color is a deep reddish brown, and its tail so large and bushy as to shade its whole body when carried curled over its back. The Ruininanti, or those animals that chew the cud. include the oxen, sheep and goats, deer, giraffe and camels. They have a peculiar construction of stomach, which receives the freshly-gathered food, retains it for some hours, and then passes it back into the mouth to be re- masticated. The Ox is spread widely over the earth, scarcely any country being without its peculiar breed. In England, where it is the most useful domesticated animal, there are many breeds, generally distinguished by the length or shape of their horns. There is the " lons:-b~>rned breed," the "short-horned," the "middle-horned" and the " polled " or hornless breed. Each of these breeds has its peculiar value : some fatten easily, and are kept especially for the butcher; others give milk, and are valuable for the dairy. The best dairy cow is the Alderney, a small, short- MSOJS. 82 horned animal, furnishing very rich milk. The Texas cat- tle are descended, from Spanish stock. In some parts of America oxen are used to draw wagons, or to drag the plow. They are not so strong as horses, and their movements are much slower. Every part of the Ox is of value. We eat his flesh, we wear shoes soled with his skin, our candles are made from his fat, our tables are joined with glue made from his hoofs, his hair is mixed with the mortar of our walls, his horns are made into combs, knife-handles, drinking-cups, etc., his bunes are used as a cheap substitute for ivory and the fragments ground and scattered over the fields as ma- nure, and soup is made from his tail. The young Ox is called a calf, and is quite as useful in its way as the full-grown Ox. The flesh is termed veal, and by many preferred to the flesh of the Ox or Cow, which is called beef; jelly is made from its feet. The stomach is salted and dried, and is named rennet. Cheese is made by soaking a piece of rennet in water and pouring it into a vessel of milk. The milk soon forms a curd, which is placed in a press, and the watery substance, called whey, squeezed from it. The curd is colored and salted, and is then cheese. The Cape Buffalo is a native of South Africa. It is ex- ceedingly ferocious and cunning, often lurking among the trees until an unsuspecting teiveller approaches, and then rushing on him and destroying him. The ferocious creat- ure is not content with killing its victim, but stands over him, mangling him with its horns and stamping on him with its feet. The Bison is a native of Europe and North America. They have short horns, which are curved inward at the point. They are distinguished from the Ox by long woolly or shaggy hair, which covers the neck and shoulders of the males. The American Bison is known by the incorrect name of 81 NATURAL HISTORY. Buffalo. This is the only species of the Ox family indige- nous, to America, except the Musk Ox. It is similar to the European Bison, but the fore-parts are more shaggy, and it is a powerful and ferocius-looking animal, which no American beast can overcome or resist, except the Grizzly Bear. The color of its hair is mostly brown. In former years vast herds of Bisons roamed over the plains and prairies between the Mississippi Eiver and the Kocky Mountains, feeding on grass and brushwood. They are generally inoffensive, and will not attack men, but prefer to run rather than to fight. During their migration they move in enormous herds, which are innumerable and ir- resistible. Their hides are valuable, and under the name of buffalo robes are an important article of commerce. The bisons are swift in running, and have so keen a sense of smell that the hunter cannot easily approach near enough to shoot them. The Indians circumvent them by setting fire to the prairie-grass on several sides, and thus driving them in confusion towards a central position. They also drive them over precipices in large herds, the momen- tum of which is such that the leaders cannot stop or re- treat, being forced forward by the mass behind them. The chase of Bisons is attended with some danger, as they sometimes turn upon an assailant, who is liable to be trampled under the feet of the herd. Numerous tribes of Aborigines are mainly dependent on the Bison for their food and clothing. Their skins, which are covered with soft hair or fur, are much used for blankets, and their flesh and fat are converted into pemmican, the favorite food of the fur-hunters and voyageurs of North America. The Bison differs from the true Buffaloes in having a hump upon the back, and in the absence of the dewlap, which is small in the Buffaloe*s. The Buffaloes have cavities in their horns communicating with the nasal passage, the Bison has not; the ho7*ns turn outward in the true Buffa- loes, and inward in the Bisons. YAK. 85 The flesh of the Bison is tolerable eating, but the " hump " appears to be unapproachable in delicacy. It is very ten- der, and possesses the property of not clo}dng even when eaten in excess. The fat is also said to be devoid of that The American Bison. sickening richness which is usually met with in our do- mesticated animals. The cow is smaller than the bull and considerably swifter. She is also generally in better condition and fat- ter than her mate, and in consequence the hunters who go to "get meat " always select the cows from the herd. The Yak inhabits Tartary. Of this animal in a native state little is known. The name of" grunniens," or grunt- ing, is derived from the peculiar sound that it utters. The tail of the Yak is very long and fine, and is used in India as a fan or whisk to keep off the mosquitoes. The tail is fixed into an ivory or metal handle, and is then called a 6 — Natural History 86 NATURAL HISTORY. chowrie. Elephants are sometimes taught to carry a chow* rie, and wave it about in the air above the heads of those who ride on its back. In Turkey the tail is called a " horse-tail," and is used as an emblem of dignity. From the shoulders of the Yak a mass of long hair falls almost to the ground, something like the mane of a Lion. This hair is applied to various purposes by the Tartars. They weave it into cloth, of which they not only make ar- ticles of dress, but also tents, and even the ropes which sustain the tents. The Gnoo, or Wildebeest, inhabits Southern Africa. At first sight it is difficult to say whether the horse, buffalo or deer predominates in its form. It belongs to neither of these animals, but is one of the bovine Antelopes. The horns cover the top of the forehead, and then, sweeping downwards over the face, turn boldly upwards with a sharp curve. The neck is furnished with a mane like that of the horse, and the legs are formed like those of the stag. It is a very swift animal, and when provoked very dan- gerous. When it attacks an opponent it drops on its knees, and then springs forward with such force that, un- less he is extremely active, he cannot avoid its shock. When it is taken young, the Gnoo can be domesticated, and brought up with other cattle, but it will not bear con- finement, and is liable to become savage under restraint. There are several species of this animal, the Common Gnoo, the Cocoon and the Brindled Gnoo. The size of the Gnoo is about that of a well-grown Ass. Its flesh is in great repute both among the natives and colonists. The Koodoo is a native of South Africa, living along the wooded borders of rivers. It is noted for its beautifully- shaped horns, which are about four feet in length and twisted into a large spiral of about two turns and a half. A bold ridge runs along the horns and follows their curva- ture. When hard pressed it always takes to the water, and mm'" lIlIilllB era '->'- I M{ 88 NATURAL HISTORY. endeavors to escape by its powers of swimming. Although a large animal, nearly four feet in height, it can leap with wonderful activity. The weight of the horns is very con- siderable, and partly to relieve itself of that weight, and partly to guard them from entanglement in the bushes among which it lives and on which it feeds, it carries its head backwards, so that the horns rest on its shoulders. The Gazelle inhabits Arabia and Syria. Its eyes are very large, dark and lustrous, so that the Oriental poets love to compare the eyes of a woman to those of a gazelle. It is easily tamed when young, and is often seen in the courtyards of houses in Syria. Its swiftness is so great that even a greyhound can not overtake it, and the hun- ters are forced to make use of hawks, which are trained to strike at the head of the Gazelle, and thus confuse it, and retard its speed, so as to permit the dogs to come up. Its color is a dark yellowish brown, fading into white on the under parts. The Chamois is found only in mountainous regions, especially the Alpine chains of Europe and Western Asia, It lives on the loftiest ridges, displaying wonderful ac- tivity, and leaping with certainty and security on places where the eye can hardly discern room for its feet. The skin of the Chamois is used extensively by shoemakers. The Ibex inhabits the Alpine regions of Europe and Western Asia. It is recognized by its magnificent horns, which curve with a bold sweep from the head almost to the haunches. The horns are surrounded at regular in- tervals with rings, and are immensely strong, serving, as some say, to break the fall of the Ibex when it makes a leap from a height. Its height is thirty inches ; the length of its horns often three feet. The Goat is not in much request in America, but in Syria and Switzerland large herds of them are kept for the sake of their milk. They almost entirely take the place of the Cow, The most celebrated variety of this GIRAFFE. #3 animal is the Cashmir goat, which furnishes the beauti- fully fine wool from which the costly Cashmir shawls are made. There are many kinds of Sheep, among which the Common Sheep, the Long-Tailed Sheep and the Wallachian Sheep are the most conspicuous. Next to the Cow, the Sheep is our most useful animal. California produces better wool than any country. The Spanish Sheep is finer than the English, but it is much less in quantity. The Merino, as this Sheep is called in Spain, is annually con- ducted from one part of the country to another, and back again. The distance traversed is upwards of 400 miles, about six or seven weeks being occupied in the journey. The proprietors of the flocks think these journeys improve the wool ; probably a mistaken notion, as the stationary flocks of Leon produce quite as fine a fleece. The Long-Tailed Sheep inhabits Syria and Egypt. Its tail is so large and so loaded with fat that, to prevent it from being injured by dragging on the ground, a board is fastened to the under side of it, and wheels are often attached to the board. The peculiar fat of the tail is con- sidered a great delicacy, and is so soft as to be frequently used as butter. The weight of a large tail is about 70 pounds. The Wallachian or Cretan Sheep is found in Crete, Wal- lachia, Hungary and Western Asia. Its horns are exceed- ingly large, and are twisted in a manner resembling those of the Koodoo. It is very strong, and extremely vicious and unruly. In this and several other Sheep the fleece is composed of wool and hair mixed. The hair of the Wal- lachian Sheep is long and silky, like that of a spaniel, and of great length, falling almost to the ground. The Giraffe is found only in South Africa. As the Gnoo seems to combine the properties of the Antelope, Horse and Buffalo, so the Giraffe appears to bear the char- acteristics of the Antelope and the Camel. Naturalists say W NATUHAL HISTORY, it holds a place by itself between the Deer and Antelope. It forms, at all events, a group to which no other animals belong. Its height varies from thirteen to eighteen feet. Its beautiful long neck enables it to browse on the leaves of the trees on which it feeds. It is very dainty while feed- ing, and plucks the leaves one by one with its flexible tongue. On its head are two projections, closely resem- bling horns. They are not horns, but only thickenings of the bone of the skull, covered with skin, and bearing a tuft of black hair at the extremity of each. The fore- legs at first sight appear longer than the hind ones, but this apparent difference is only caused by the great length of the shoulder-blades, as both pair of legs are of the same length at their junction with the body. Its eyes are very large and prominent, so that the animal can see on every side without turning its head. Just over and be- tween the eyes is a third bony prominence, resembling the projecting enlargements of the skull, called horns. The use of these projections is not very well known, as although in play the Giraffe will swing its head round and strike" with it, yet when it wishes to repel an assailant it has recourse to violent and rapid kicks from its hind- legs. So light and swift are these kicks that the eye can scarcely follow them, and so powerful are they that the lion is often driven oft by them. The skin cf this ani- mal is an inch and a half in thickness, so that it is neces- sary for the hunter to make very sure of his aim before he fires at an animal so well defended. The Giraffe has much difficulty in reaching the ground with its mouth, nor does it often attempt to do so, unless it is bribed with something of which it is very fond, such as a lump of sugar. It then straddles widely with its fore- legs, and with some trouble succeeds in reaching the object aimed at. The first living Giraffes, in the possession of the London 91 ) 92 NATURAL HISTORY. Zoological Society, were brought in 1835. M. Thibaut succeeded in taking four, which he brought with him. One of them is still living. From this stock several Giraffes have been born, some of which are still in Eng- land, and others have been sent to other countries. Its tongue is one of the most remarkable parts of its structure. It is very flexible and capable of great changes of form, the Giraffe being able to contract it so that its tip could enter an ordinary quill. The animal is very fond of exercising its tongue, and sometimes pulls the hairs from its companions' manes and tails and swallows them — no very easy feat, as the hair of the tail is often more than four feet long, The movements of the Giraffe are very peculiar, the limbs of each side appearing to act together. It is very swift, and can outrun a horse, especially if it can get among broken ground and rocks, over which it leaps with a succession of frog-like hops. Those born and bred here seem healthy and are exceed- ingly tame. They eat herbs such as grass, hay, carrots, and onions. When cut grass is given to them, they eat off the upper parts and leave the coarse stems, just as we eat asparagus. There is some confusion about the names of the camels. The Bactrian Camel is distinguished by bearing two humps on its back, the Arabian Camel by bearing only one. The Arabian is sometimes erroneously called the Dromedary; but the Dromedary is a lighter variety of that animal, and only used when dispatch is required. The Camel forms the principal wealth of the Arab; without it he could never attempt to penetrate the vast deserts where it lives, as its remarkable power of drinking at one draught sufficient water to serve it for several days enables it to march from station to station without requir- ing to drink by the way. The peculiar structure of its stomach gives it this most useful power. In its stomach 3i«£3Jb: 94 NATURAL HISTORY. are a great number of deep cells, into which the water passes, and is then prevented from escaping by a muscle which closes the mouth of the cells. When the camel feels thirsty it has the power of casting some of the water contained in these cells into its mouth. The habits of this animal are very interesting. The foot of the Camel is admirably adapted for walking on the loose sand, being composed of large, elastic pads, which spread as the foot is placed on the ground. To guard it from injury when it kneels down to be loaded, the parts of the body on which its weight rests are defended by thick callosities. The largest of these callosities is on the chest, the others are placed on the joints of the legs. The Bactrian Camel inhabits Central Asia and China. The Llamas, of which there are several species, inhabit South America, and are used for the same purposes as the Camel. When wild they are very timid, and fly from a pursuer the moment that they see him ; but their curiosity is so great that the hunter often secures them by lying on the ground and throwing his legs and arms about. The Llamas come to see what the extraordinary animal can be, and give the hunter an opportunity of firing several shots, which the astonished animals consider as part of the performance. The Llamas, like the Camels, have a series of cells in the stomach for containing water, and can go for several day? without requiring to drink. If too heavily laden, or when they are weary, they lie down, and no punishment wilJ induce them to rise, so that their masters are forced to unload them. When offended they have a very unpleas- ant habit of spitting at the object of their anger. Theii saliva is not injurious. Its fleece is very long, resembling silk more than wool. It, is "very valuable, and is used for making cloth and other fabrics. The fleece of the Alpaca is considered the best, and it is sometimes twelve inches in length and very fine. ■>. A Family of Red Deer. 95 9^ NATURAL HISTORY In Chili and Peru the natives domesticate the Llama, which in a state of captivity frequently becomes white. It is by no means a large animal, as it measures about four feet six in height. In general shape it resembles the Camel, but has no hump on its back, and its feet are provided with sharp hoofs for climbing the rocky hills among which it lives. In Peru, where it is most commonly found, there are public shambles established for the sale of its flesh. The Red Deer, or Stag, is the largest of the Deer. In the language of hunters it bears different names according to the size of its horns, which increase year by year. All the male Deer have horns, which they shed every year and renew again. The process of renewal is most interesting. A skin, filled with arteries, covers the projections on which the horns rest. This skin, called the " velvet," is engaged in continually depositing bone on the footstalks, which rapidly increase in size. As the budding horns increase, the velvet increases also, and the course of the arteries is marked on the horn by long furrows, which are never ob- literated. When the horn has reached its full growth it cannot be at once used, as the velvet is very tender, and would bleed profusely if wounded. The velvet cannot be suddenly removed, as the blood that formed the arteries would rush to the brain and destroy the animal. A ring of bone forms round the root of each horn, leaving pas- sages through which the arteries pass. By degrees these passages become narrow, and finally close entirely, thus gradually shutting off the blood. The velvet, being de- prived of its nourishment, dies, and is peeled off by the Deer by rubbing against a tree, leaving the white, hard horn beneath. Hunting the Stag is a favorite amusement in Europe, and packs of hounds, called Stag-hounds, are kept ex- pressly for that purpose. The Fallow-Deer are usually seen in parks. One large buck always takes the lead, and suffers none but a 9 8 NATURAL HISTORY, few favorite does to approach his regal presence, all the other bucks moving humbly away when he puts in an appearance. They are generally tame, and will suffer people to come very close^to them ; but at a certain time of the year they become savage, and will not permit any one to approach their domains. If an intruder ventures within the proscribed distance, the buck will instantly charge upon him. They soon become familiar with those who treat them kindly, and will eat from their hands. The Reindeer is found throughout the Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and America. The finest animals are those of Lapland and Spitzbergen. The Laplander finds his chief wealth in the possession of the Reindeer, which not only serves him as a beast of burden, but furnishes him with food and clothing. A Laplander in good cir- cumstances will possess about three hundred deer, which enable him to live in comfort. The subsistence of one who only possesses one hundred is very precarious, and he who has only fifty usually joins his animals with the herd of some richer man, and takes the menial labors upon himself. The Reindeer feeds principally on a kind of lichen, which it scrapes from beneath the snow. During the winter its coat thickens, and assumes a lighter hue, many deer being almost white. Its hoofs are divided very high, so that when the animal places its foot upon the ground, the hoof spreads wide, and as it raises the foot a snapping noise is heard, caused by the parts of the hoof closing to- gether. When harnessed to a sledge it can draw 800 pounds' weight at about ton miles an hour. The European Elk inhabits the northern parts of Eu- rope. It was considered at one time to be identical with the American Elk, but naturalists now believe it to be a distinct animal. Its usual pace is a high, awkward trot, but when frightened it sometimes gallops. In Sweden it was formerly used to draw sledges, but on account of the ELK. 99 great facility of escape offered to criminals by its great speed, the use of it was forbidden under high penalties. A Family of Elk. The skin of the Elk is so tough that a regiment of soldiers was furnished with waistcoats made of its hide, which could scarcely be penetrated by a ball. Like the Reindeer, the Elk makes a great clattering with its hoofs when m rapid motion Tt is a good swimmer 100 NATURAL HIST0B7. and is fond of taking to the water in summer time. It is a rather dangerous antagonist when incensed, as it fights desperately with its horns and hoofs. It has been known to destroy a wolf with a single stroke of its hoofs. We now arrive at the Pachydermata, or thick-skinned animals which do not chew the cud. The first on the list is the Horse, an animal too well known in all its varieties to need much description. The ancients never appeared to ride on the war horse to battle, but fought from small open chariots, to which two or more horses were harnessed. The Arabian Horse is a model of elegance and beauty. The Arab treats his horse as one of the family ; it lives in the same tent with him, eats from his hand, and sleeps among his children, who tumble about on it without the least fear. It is hard to induce the Arab to part with a favorite horse. The plains of La Plata and Paraguay are tenanted by vast herds of wild horses. These are captured by the lasso, bitted, mounted, and broken within an hour, by the daring and skilful Guachos. The English Horse, from which our best horses have come, has much Arabian and Barb blood in it. The race- horse is swifter for short distances than the best Arabian horse. It is much like the Arabian in looks, but is taller and longer, and has changed in color. The Arabian is generally white, light gray, or flea-bitten, but the race- horse is more usually bay and chestnut. The changes have probably come from the difference in the climate and in the way the horses are brought up. The American racehorse is descended from the English racehorse and is therefore also of Arabian blood. The Godolphin Arabian, Flying Childers, Iroquois, and Foxhall are four of the most celebrated racers. The fastest mile ever run by a racehorse in the United States up to 1890 was made by Salvator in one minute and fhir+v-fi^ 01 W^