THE DORMOUSE. 530 



But, as soon as the creature resumes its ordinary life, waste goes 

 on, and the creature soon feels the pangs of hunger. As the food 

 of the Dormouse consists chiefly of seeds and fruits, it could not 

 find enough nourishment to support the body, and would there- 

 fore perish of hunger but for the stores which instinct had taught 

 it to gather in the preceding autumn. 



In the illustration, the stag-beetle and the golden-crested wren 

 have been introduced to show the comparative size of the ani- 

 mals. The old Dormouse does not fear the beetle, and tranquilly 

 pursues his meal, but the young one is rather discomposed at the 

 intrusion of the big black insect, and meditates a retreat into the 

 nest. 



There are several species of Dormouse, which have similar hab- 

 its, and at least two of them are found in Europe. These are the 

 Loire {Myoxus glis) and the Lerot {Myoxus quercinus). The for- 

 mer of these animals is sometimes called the Fat Dormouse, be- 

 cause it was in ancient days considered as a great delicacy, and 

 carefully fattened in places called gliraria. This animal is found 

 in France. 



In many parts of the same country the Lerot is a great pest to 

 the gardens, because it is fond of fruit, and has a special liking for 

 the ripest peaches, nectarines, and similar choice fruit. 



Besides those which have been mentioned, several other spe- 

 cies of mammalia make aerial nests in the branches of trees, 

 though such nests are only to be considered as exceptions from 

 the general rule. Perhaps the most singular of these exceptions 

 is that which has been discovered in Africa, where human beings 

 systematically build their houses in trees. This curious fact was 

 discovered by Mr. Moffatt, the well-known missionary, in the 

 course of his travels. 



Two traders had been in the country which was ruled by the 

 ferocious chief Moselekatze, who has derived an unenviable name 

 for his relentless cruelty, which will always eclipse his well-de- 

 served reputation as a man of commanding genius and of subtle 

 intellect. He was, in fact, a savage Napoleon, and, if possible, 

 even a more wonderful man, inasmuch as he had no education, 

 and created the terrible power which he so skillfully wielded. 



King of the Zulu Kafirs, he had organized a vast military 

 establishment, and had invented a system of warfare so ingen- 

 ious as to entitle him to the name of a born general. All able- 



