NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



ploying its powers of smell to ascertain if an enemy 

 is near. Failing to detect a foe in this way, it 

 raises its head and surveys its surroundings before 

 again venturing forth. 



Another tribe of Jumping Shrews, usually of 

 larger size than their desert-loving cousins, inhabit 

 the fertile districts of Africa from Port EHzabeth 

 to the Equator. 



One of the species of these East African Jumping 

 Shrews inhabits rocky places, and conceals itself in 

 the natural crannies and crevices of the rocks, or 

 in burrows which it digs amongst the boulders, 

 or between the roots of shrubs, or in decaying 

 logs. In these shelters it builds a cosy nest of 

 grass which it cuts up with its teeth. 



Another kind or species favours the bush-veld, 

 and localities where there are patches of dense 

 bush. , It lives in burrows in the ground and in 

 old termite mounds. 



The species of Jumping Shrew whose habitat is 

 chiefly the arid districts of the western part of 

 South Africa has five toes to each foot, whereas 

 those inhabiting the fertile eastern parts of the 

 country possess five toes to the front feet, but 

 the back ones have four. In addition to this 

 difference, they are much larger in size. On this 

 account they have been separated from the others 

 and placed in a different genus. To others than 

 Zoologists, the term Genus may not be clearly 

 understood, and perhaps requires a little explana- 



4 



