ZOOLOGY 



395 



no affinities with the other edentates, but to be separately descended 

 from some other mammalian stock. The manis lives on trees, and, like 

 the orycteropus, feeds on ants and termites, licking them up with the 

 long, sticky tongue which is protruded from its tiny mouth. In captivity 

 the manis seldom thrives, though it can be got to eat finely choj^ped 

 meat and milk. It is covered from its snout to the tip of its tail with 



Cartilage 

 False hoofs 



Under-side bare 



245. FEET OF LIMXOTRAGCS SPEKE. 



large overlapping scales of a horny texture, though there is hair on the 

 under side of the body. The mouth is reduced to a mere hole, but the 

 creature has means of offence in its sharp claws and of defence in its 

 horny armour. When in captivity, until tame or unless trying to escape, 

 it rolls itself into a ball. In this condition one must be wary about 

 taking it up, as it has a way of straightening itself and nipping the 

 fingers between the hard serrated scales. The manis of Uganda, like 

 that of West Africa, sometimes, if it descries a possible enemy whilst 



