234 HYRAX CHEWING THE CUD CHAP, ix 



Some of the Coneys live in rocky ground, while others, formerly 

 placed in the genus Dendrokyrax, frequent trees, in holes in which 

 they sleep. The Coney of the Scriptures is familiar, who is " exceed- 

 ing wise," though a " feeble folk." But the further observation 

 that he " cheweth the cud but divided not the hoof," is obviously 

 entirely wrong. As to the wisdom, it is said that this beast is 

 too wary to be taken in traps ; while the suggestion of chewing 

 the cud is, according to Canon Tristram, to be interpreted in the 

 light of a habit of working and moving its jaws which the animal 

 has. The traveller Bruce kept one in captivity to see if it did 

 reallv chew the cud, and found that it did ! 



