CHAPTER IV 



SEPARATION OF SEXES 



Reptiles of the crocodile type can do considerable 

 injury with their tails ; and horses, asses, and their 

 congeners, possess a mighty means of defence in the 

 hoofs of their hind legs. Allowing for these and a 

 few other unimportant exceptions, it may however 

 be laid down as a general rule that for attack, pro- 

 tection, and defence the forward end of quadrupeds 

 is the effective part. For protection there are here 

 the shoulders, breast-bones, forelegs, and skull, 

 which form, figuratively speaking, a strong rampart 

 or protecting screen behind which the lungs, heart, 

 stomach, and other viscera and vital blood vessels 

 may repose in comparative security. 



Being in addition shielded by the dorsal bones 

 and vertebras from above, by the hip-bones and hind 

 legs from behind, these vital organs are practically 

 free from liability to direct injury by either an attack, 

 collision, or impact, unless it comes from under- 

 neath. In this forward end are also situated the 

 natural armaments of the creature, that is to say, 

 the means for inflicting injury and death. Here 

 are the sharp incisors for biting and tearing: the 

 tusks, horns, fangs, claws, etc. Therefore, if a four- 

 legged brute can but manage to keep his front 



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