XXll _ THE MAMMALS OF INDIA. 



secreting a waxy tiuid, and inguinal and foot-glands as well. A few, 

 as the Musk-deer, have a preputial gland, secreting a most powerfully 

 scented substance, musk ; the kindred substance, castor, is secretcil 

 by a Eodent animal. Many of these secretions appear to be connected 

 with sexual purposes. 



In cold climates several animals pass the winter in a state of 

 torpidity, and even in India certain Bats and Hedgehogs, and 

 perhaps some Rats, are more or less torpid during the cold season. 

 In Southern India I do not think that Bats usually become 

 torpid, but they certainly do in the Northern Provinces. The two 

 species of Bears found in the Himalayas both retire to their caves 

 during winter, and are rarely or never seen from December till the 

 end of March. 



Most animals are habitually solitary or live in pairs ; but many 

 are gregarious. Some live chiefly on animal food: e.g., Bats, Shrews, 

 Moles, &;c., on insects and worms ; the Carnivora on birds, reptiles, 

 and mammals ; and the Otter and Seal on fish. Some of the 

 Carnivora, however, have a mixed diet, as Bears, which eat insects, 

 honey, and fruit, as do several of the smaller Plantigrades ; whilst a 

 few partake of carrion. Many live solely on vegetable food. Some 

 graze, others browse, and a few dig up roots or plunder grain. 



Wanting the great powers of locomotion of Birds, no extensive 

 migrations can take place among Mammals ; but partial migrations 

 have been observed among certain Rodents, as the Lemming ; and 

 the Coffee-rat of Ceylon is stated to migrate at times from place to 

 place in countless thousands. 



There are not many constructive habits in this class compared with 

 that of Birds. The Beaver is one of the most noted exceptions ; and 

 Squirrels and certain Rats and Mice build nests. 



Most animals content themselves with holes excavated in the 

 ground, or bring forth their young under rocks, in caves, or in 

 thickets, or, like many Ruminants, on the bare ground. 



Man has brought under his dominion various animals, either for 

 food, carriage, or the chase ; many of these have been domesticated 

 for ages, and numerous varieties occur among them, the result of long 

 domestication in varied climes, and perhaps partly of different origin. 



