314 



ANIMAL LIFE 



the elephant render him a formidable opponent. The 

 long sharp incisors of the rodents and the pointed teeth of 

 the bats afford them sufficient aid in contests with larger 

 animals. The large canines of the carnivora and the strong 



sharp claws of the 

 lion and tiger are 

 weapons of great 

 power. Some of the 

 carnivores, espe- 

 cially the skunks, 

 protect themselves 

 by the ejection of a 

 nauseous- smelling 

 fluid detested by 

 dogs, foxes, and 

 wolves. 



Many animals 

 without a protective 

 armor or special 

 weapons of defense 

 seek safety in flight. 

 Such are the hares, 

 kangaroos, and some 

 birds. Others es- 

 cape by assuming 

 such attitudes and 

 colors as to make it 

 difficult for their enemies to distinguish them from the sur- 

 rounding objects. The leaf butterfly (Kallima) of India 

 when at rest on certain bushes is so similar to the leaves 

 that even the birds fail to distinguish the difference. The 



FIG. 351. The walking stick (Diapheromerafem- 

 orato). Natural size. 



