NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



scream or squeak, several times repeated, where- 

 upon all those in the neighbourhood scuttle off and 

 take shelter. Should a rock crevice be large, as many 

 as a dozen w^ill take refuge in it. 



The Dassie is wonderfully active among the rocks, 

 and jumps, hops, runs and climbs with noiseless 

 tread and marvellous agility. 



Its powers of climbing and clinging to steep, rocky 

 surfaces is considerably aided by a special apparatus 

 on the foot. The naked soles are covered with 

 thick skin ; this is kept moist all the time by- 

 sweat, which is secreted by the sudorific glands. 

 These are really sweat glands, which are very 

 abundant in the sole of the foot of the Klip Dassie. 

 In addition to this, there is a special set of muscles 

 which cause the sole of the foot to contract, and 

 forms a hollow, air-tight, saucer-like chamber in the 

 centre, which enables an animal to cling with great 

 tenacity to an almost perpendicular rock. Those 

 who are not aware of this wonderful suctional power 

 of the foot, are astonished beyond measure when 

 they shoot a Dassie, and observe its dead body 

 clinging to a smooth, almost perpendicular rock 

 surface. 



It is very tenacious of life, and even when riddled 

 with shot will struggle bravely on until it reaches 

 its lair, into which it drags its dying body and 

 perishes miserably. 



The Dassie retires to its lair at night, and issues 

 forth to feed on the surrounding vegetation during 



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