4O HABITA T OF SPRINGBOK SIZE OF AFRICAN OTTERS. 



again, giraffes and springbok may be seen together. 

 For confirmation of this refer to the works of Sir 

 Cornwallis Harris and Mr. Charles John Andersson. 



Further, I have a note in my diary stating that 

 when travelling between Sechellis and Bamamwato I 

 saw large numbers of springbok, a good many 

 gemsbok, three ostriches, and several giraffes, near a 

 vley called " Seruley," all apparently in company. 



The residence of bush pigs is very uncertain as to 

 locality. I have found them both in open veldt and 

 bush veldt. One sine qua non, however, is necessary, 

 viz., water. Thus they may be often started when 

 driving other game, when, if they cannot gain their 

 earths, they will join the other animals of the plains 

 in the general stampede. 



That the lordly giraffe should stoop its graceful 

 and towering head to playfully and affectionately 

 nibble fleas out of the springbok's back, or that the 

 same gentle, affectionate, and timid mammoth should, 

 with trusting feelings of universal love, lend its legs to 

 the bush pigs as scrubbing posts, I do not intend to 

 infer, so beg that my remarks are not misconstrued. 



As to the question regarding the otter, such a 

 giant never came under my observation in South 

 Africa or elsewhere, as my correspondent says he 

 has seen, viz., sixty pounds in weight, although I have 

 caught, shot, and purchased the skins of a great many 

 in both hemispheres. According to my experience, the 

 average length of these animals, including tails, is just 

 under four feet, and the weight about twenty pounds. 



I had an otter caross of very large size, and now in 

 the possession of a friend, which took about forty skins 

 to make it; but I had all white markings carefully 

 eliminated before the pelts were stitched together. 

 As a specimen of South African fur, it was a very 

 superior article, but had to be retanned on arrival at 

 home, as the native dressing, however excellent in its 

 own land, will not stand the damp of our climate. 



