160 GREAT JUNGLE THORNS. 



the contrary, which are dwellers upon the plains, flee 

 from the neigbourhood of cover, seeking their refuge on 

 the most open ground, where they can see the approach 

 of danger from every side. 



This habit of making for the heaviest cover, when 

 alarmed, is a regular characteristic of forest game ; and 

 is, we believe, practised by them all. The heavy 

 animals, as above described, tear their way by main 

 force through the densest bush, while the smaller ones, 

 some of which have delicate skins, attain the same 

 object by dodging in and out amongst it, or under it, 

 with a quickness and dexterity that is quite extra- 

 ordinary. 



One could understand this among the generally 

 thornless underwood of the forest of the temperate 

 zone ; but the matter assumes a very different 

 aspect when one comes to deal with the bush forest 

 of tropical lands in general, but of Africa in parti- 

 cular. In the great game country of the African 

 continent, almost everywhere the bush consists of 

 thorny shrubs and dwarf trees, armed with formidable 

 spines, almost as sharp and strong as needles, which 

 must really be seen to be thoroughly appreciated. 

 Some of these thorns are straight and spear-like, and 

 not uncommonly measure 3 to 4 inches in length. 

 When thoroughly seasoned and dry, such thorns would 

 be capable of piercing through and through the human 

 hand, like a nail, if driven by sufficient force, before 

 breaking. Other thorns are hooked like fish-hooks, 

 and when fixed in clothing will hold a man by main 

 force, unless the cloth gives way and tears into a 

 mass of shreds. Nevertheless the unanimous testi- 

 mony of African hunters is to the effect, that no thorns, 



