NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRCIA 



The Bechuanas in the past were in the habit of 

 burning the Pangolin alive in their cattle kraals, 

 under the belief that in so doing they increased the 

 fertility of their cattle. This custom is still 

 occasionally practised. 



Peters mentions that rings are made from the 

 scales and worn on the forefinger by natives, under 

 the supposition that they protect the wearer from 

 witchcraft. 



The Pangolin in West Africa climbs trees and 

 rests on the trunk by gripping the bark with the 

 claws of the hind-feet, and supporting the body at 

 right angles by means of the tail which acts as a 

 prop. The Pangolin in South Africa is also stated 

 to climb trees occasionally, but I have not been 

 able to personally verify this. 



The Aard Vark and South African Pangolin 

 belong to the order termed Edentata, which in- 

 cludes the Sloths, Ant-Eaters, and Armadillos of 

 South America. These are divided into a large 

 number of species or kinds. There are six species 

 of Pangolins besides the South African one. All 

 of these are confined to Africa and South-Eastern 

 Asia, viz. four in Africa and three in Asia. 



The Pangolin is esteemed by the natives and 

 colonists as food, and owing to the slowness of its 

 movements it falls an easy prey. Consequently 

 before long it will, doubtless, be numbered with the 

 extinct fauna of South Africa. 



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