THE STORY OF THE MUNGOQSE. 



189 



predominating. The transverse light and dark bands on the loins are 

 formed by the regular arrangement of the hairs, by which the white and 

 black rings come opposite to each other on adjacent hairs. Meerkats may 

 be distinguished at a glance from all other mungooses by their elongated 

 nose and claws, as well as by their peculiar coloration, no other species 

 having ears differing in color from the rest of the head. 



South African meerkats appear to be confined to Cape Colony, extend- 

 ing at least as far north as Algoa Bay. These animals form most admirable 



SOUTH AFRICAN MUNGOOSES OR MEERKATS. 



and amusing little pets, nearly every homestead having one or more of these 

 creatures. In their w'ild state the meerkats live in colonies or warrens, 

 burrowing deep holes in the sandy soil, and feeding chiefly on succulent 

 bulbs which they scratch up with the long, curved black claws on their 

 fore feet. They are devoted sun-worshippers, and in the early morning, 

 before it is daylight, they emerge from their burrows, and wait in rows till 

 their divinity appears, when they bask joyfully in his beams. They are very 

 numerous on the arru, and, as you ride or drive along through the veldt, 

 you often come upon little colonies of them sitting up sunning themselves, 



