CHAPTER XXIX 

 ANIMAL DEFENCES— ACTIVE DEFENCE 



Passive Defence having now been pretty fully considered, 

 we may pass on to Active Defence, remembering at the same 

 time that this may be preceded or followed by retreat. 



ACTIVE DEFENCE AGAINST ENEMIES 



For this purpose either ordinary Aggressive Weapons may 

 be used, or else those special structures to which the name of 

 Actively Defensive Weapons is applicable, and these may be 

 parts of the body which are commonly employed for other pur- 

 poses. 



AGGRESSIVE WEAPONS IN DEFENCE 



The possibility here suggested is so very obvious that there 

 is no need to say very much about it. A carnivorous Mammal, 

 e.o^. a Leopard, depends upon teeth and claws for capture and 

 immolation of its prey, but it is clear that these same weapons 

 are just as valuable for purposes of self-defence, if the occasion 

 should arise. This it is pretty sure to do, for aggressive forms 

 have numerous enemies, just as well as the more peaceful vege- 

 tarians. The beak and talons of a bird of prey, the formidable 

 teeth of a crocodile, the poison-fangs of a venomous snake, the 

 sting of a scorpion, the strong- jaws of a tiger-beetle, and the 

 stinging-cells of a jelly-fish will serve as further instances of 

 aggressive weapons which may be of equal use for defensive 

 purposes. 



ACTIVELY DEFENSIVE WEAPONS 



Actively Defensive Weapons of Mammals. — Apes and 

 Monkeys, especially the larger species, defend themselves very 

 effectively with their teeth, the canines of the male often being 



