ADAPTATION OP^ iMAMMALS 225 



and the berries are gone, so the bear sleeps away the 

 winter in a state of hibernation, a sleep common to many 

 animals. The lions, tigers, and big cats have no homes, 

 though some may frequent dens. The deer and antelope 

 and others have no fixed places of abode, roaming about 

 according to the food supply. 



The defenses given to animals well illustrate the re- 

 sources of nature. Note the stupid porcupine covered 

 with menacing bristles that render it almost safe from all 

 animals, the hedgehog, the bands and scales of the arma- 

 dillo. The skunk has a secretion that renders it safe from 

 nearly all animals, the odor being overpowering ; and a 

 number of animals have odors offensive to other animals, 

 rendering them perfectly safe. In the narwhal there is a 

 long, ivory sword or spear that doubtless is a menace. The 

 deer family have splendid horns and antlers with which 

 they attack enemies or rivals. The horse and mule whirl 

 about and attack with the hind legs, while the kangaroo 

 strikes a terrible cutting and downward blow with its knife- 

 like claw sufificient to disembowel a horse or man. 



The cat tribe tear with their claws, lacerate with their 

 sharp teeth, leap upon their prey, and bear them down ; 

 the hippopotamus opens its cavernous mouth and literally 

 bites boats in two, crushing the occupants with its bark-cut- 

 ting teeth; and adaptation in infinite variety is found in 

 the varied conditions of animal life. 



HOT.DFR, MAMMALS — 1 5 



