Sappers and Miners 



pouch. Sometimes a single rapid stroke with one hand 

 is sufficient ; at other times both hands are used, particu- 

 larly if the piece is large. In such cases the long claws 

 of one hand are used to draw down the lower side of the 

 opening, while the food is poked in with the other. 



" The most remarkable thing connected with the use of 

 the pouches is the way they are emptied. The fore-feet 

 are brought back simultaneously along the sides of the 

 head until they reach a point opposite the hinder end of 

 the pouches ; they are then pressed firmly against the 

 head and carried rapidly forward. In this way the contents 

 of the pouches are promptly deposited in front of the 

 animal. Sometimes several strokes are necessary. I 

 have never seen them emptied in any other way." 



214 



