THE PORCUPINE 135 



of the loose quills of the tail. Deficient in speed, it 

 relies for protection upon its sharp quills, which, when 

 the animal is angry or frightened, are raised on end, thus 

 presenting a bristling hedge to its enemies. The spines 

 of the tail are detachable at will, and, when attacked, 

 the porcupine, endeavouring to keep his back turned 

 to the foe, swings this appendage in such a manner that 

 its loosened quills are left sticking deep in the adversary's 

 flesh. Should the eyes, nose, feet or tongue be pierced 

 by these needle-like weapons, the results to the aggressor, 

 whether lion, leopard, or caracal, may be very serious, 

 and sometimes permanently crippling. 



When about three days old, young porcupines begin 

 to display on their backs a few white bristles, heralds 

 of the future quills. The little ones remain in the hole 

 which has witnessed their birth until their natural de- 

 fences have grown and hardened, after which they ac- 

 company their mother on her nightly expeditions, until 

 big enough to look after themselves. 



The flesh when cooked resembles mutton in colour, 

 and that of females and young animals is quite good 

 eating ; old males are very tough and gristly. 



THE SPRING HARE. Akin to the true jerboas, this 

 remarkable creature is found locally through Africa 

 south of the Equator. The head and body measure 

 about two feet, and the tail is long. It derives its name 

 from its kangaroo-like method of progression. It is an 

 expert burrower, goes about at night, and lives in colonies 

 in large and complicated warrens. The flesh is good 

 eating. 



The PANGOLIN and the ANT-BEAR are the only African 

 survivors of what, at an earlier epoch of the earth's 

 history, was doubtless a very large group. Teeth are 

 entirely absent from the Pangolin, while in the Ant-Bear 



