162 RODENTS. 



The cane-rat has an extensive distribution in Africa, ranging from the Upper 

 Nile (where it is represented by a variety with partially-webbed hind-feet) through 

 Eastern and Central Africa to the Cape ; while on the western side it ranges as far 

 north as Guinea. In Guinea it is known to the natives as the yumba, while in 

 South-Eastern Africa it is termed the ivondue. In Sierra Leone it is said to 

 feed chiefly upon ground-nuts and roots, in search of which it digs in the soil, 

 while it also forms burrows for its residence. In South-Eastern Africa the habits 

 of these rodents appear to be somewhat different. For instance, Mr. W. H. 

 Drummond states that cane-rats " do not form burrows of their own ; but when 

 forced out of the thick tangle of overgrown grass or reeds in which they 

 lie, a task by no means easy of accomplishn*ent, they take refuge in any hole 

 or crevice among rocks or stones, or in the deserted burrows of the ant-eater or 

 porcupine. They are not only destructive to a degree among sugar-cane, gnawing 

 down stem after stem, but most difficult to extirpate. In spots such as these, they 

 live in what fields happen to be lying fallow, which, being covered with an impene- 

 trable thicket of grass and weeds, offer them a secure retreat from which they can 

 nightly issue forth into the canes." The cane-rat is largely hunted by the natives, 

 and in some cases by Europeans, for the sake of its flesh. Schweinf urth remarks that 

 its flesh " is excellent when roasted ; it is rich, and without being sweet and insipid 

 like that of the hyrax, it is free from any unpleasant flavour. In quality it is about 

 equal to poultry, whilst in taste it may be described as being intermediate between 

 pork and veal." 



There are numerous other South American representatives of the 

 Other Genera. 



Octodonts. These are mostly smaller rat-like forms than the preceding, 



with long cylindrical tails ; many of them being remarkable for the intermixture of 

 flattened lance-like spines with the fur. Some of the best known genera are Loncheres 

 and Echinomys, and these are mostly characterised by the possession of the above- 

 mentioned spines. The majority of the species of these two genera inhabit Guiana 

 and Brazil, but one species of Echinomys ranges into Central America. Most of them 

 are brown above and white beneath, but in some cases the white extends on to the 

 flanks, shoulders, and head, thus giving them somewhat the appearance of long- 

 tailed guinea-pigs. A third genus, Carterodon, of which there is but one Brazilian 

 species, is distinguished by a longitudinal groove on each upper incisor. 



THE PORCUPINES. 

 Family HYSTRICID^. 



The well-known porcupines, which have the widest geographical distribution 

 of any family of this section of the order, are distinguished from their allies by 

 the presence of a number of large quill-like spines in the skin. Their build is stout 

 and massive ; and the fore and hind-limbs are of subequal length. In the skull, 

 the region of the face is comparatively short and broad ; while the cheek or jugal 

 bone in the zygomatic arch is devoid of the angle on its lower edge, distinctive of 

 most of the members of the preceding family. The 'molar teeth are partly or 

 completely rooted with folds of enamel on each side. Porcupines derive their 



