622 



THE HYRAX. 



The horn is also used by the Kaffirs to make "knobherries," or knob-headed sticks, which 

 they can employ as clubs in hand-to-hand combat, or can throw with wonderful effect. A 

 party of Kaffirs will often go out in chase of birds, armed with nothing but these knobherries, 

 which they will hurl with such force and precision that they generally return home loaded 

 with game. 



The four African species of Rhinoceros are not at all prolific animals, producing only one 

 young one at a time, and, as far as is known, a considerable interval occurs between births. 

 It is not a gregarious, neither does it appear to be a monogamous, animal. It seems, however, 

 to find some gratification in the presence of others of its own species, and may be seen in little 

 assemblies of eight or ten in number. These assemblies, however, cannot be termed flocks or 

 herds, as their members are not under the command of a single leader, nor bound together by 

 any common tie, and, when alarmed, each individual makes his escape as best he can. The 

 skin is comparatively smooth, and devoid of hair, so that the animal bears some resemblance 

 to an overgrown pig. 



ONE of the most curious little animals in existence is the HYKAX, interesting not so much 

 from its imposing external appear- 

 ance, as for its importance in filling 

 up a link in the chain of creation. 



About as large as a tolerably 

 sized rabbit, covered with thick, soft 

 fur, inhabiting holes in the banks, 

 possessing incisor-like teeth, and, in 

 fine, being a very rabbit in habits, 

 manners, and appearance, it was long 

 classed among the rodents, and placed 

 among the rabbits and hares. It has, 

 however, been discovered in later 

 years, that this little rabbit-like ani- 

 mal is no rodent at all, but is of one 

 of the pachydermata, and that it 

 forms a natural transition from the 

 rhinoceros to the hippopotamus. On 

 a close examination of the teeth, 



they are seen to be wonderfully like those of the hippopotamus, their edges being bevelled off 

 in a similar manner, and therefore bearing some resemblance to the chisel-edged incisors of the 

 rodents. There are several species of Hyrax, one of which inhabits Northern Africa and 

 Syria, while the other two are found in Abyssinia and South Africa. 



The South African Hyrax is termed by the colonists KLIP DAS, or EOCK RABBIT, and is 

 found in considerable plenty among the mountainous districts of its native land, being 

 especially common on the sides of the Table mountain. It is largely eaten by the natives, 

 who succeed in killing it in spite of its extreme wariness and activity. Among the crevices 

 and fissures in the rock the Hyrax takes up its abode, and may often be seen sitting in the 

 warm rays of the sun, or feeding with apparent carelessness on the aromatic herbage of the 

 mountain side. It is, however, perfectly secure, in spite of its apparent negligence, for a 

 sentinel is always on guard, ready to warn his companions by a peculiar shrill cry of 

 the approach of danger. Sometimes the Hyrax is seen at a considerable height, but 

 is often observed near the sea-shore, seated on rocks which are barely above high-water 

 mark. 



Besides mankind, the Hyrax has many foes, such as the birds of prey and carnivorous 

 quadrupeds, and is destroyed in considerable numbers. The fore-feet of this animal are 

 apparently furnished with claws like those of the rabbit, but on a closer inspection, the sup- 

 posed claws are seen to be veritable hoofs, black in color, and very similar to those of the 

 rhinoceros in form. The Hyrax is an agile little creature, and can climb a rugged tree-trunk 



HYKAX, OE ROCK BABBIT. Hyrax hatessinicm. 



