AFRICA. 



Cam clopard 



horns extending all over the top of the 

 head and foreiiead, like a helmet ; he is 

 a savage and dangerous animal. 



The Ratel {.Mellii ora capensis) , nearly 

 allied to the gluttons or wolverenes, is 

 found in Soutiiern Africa, and has long 

 been noted for his dexterity in robbing the 

 hives of wild bees, being extravagantly 

 fond of honey. In his search, he is said 

 to be aided, like man, by the Honey-guide 

 [Indicalor S'parmanni'), a bird which is 

 equally fond of this luscious food. The 

 note of ilie bird, well-knou-n to the Hot- 

 tentots, and it should seem, to tbe Ealel, 

 is peculiarly shrill at the feeding season, 

 and it flits alone;, by short fligbts, before 

 . until it arrives 

 ere tlie sweet store is 

 hoarded up ; here it redoubles its cries, 

 and flutters round the spot, until the hive 

 is taken and destroyed, when it comes 

 in for a share of the booty. 



The Common Crocodile is from 20 to 

 30 feet long, of a blackish brown color, 

 above and yellowish white beneath. It 

 inhabits the rivers of Africa. It is 

 suj)posed to live to a great age. Its 

 sirenglli is ver}' great, and its arms irre- 

 sistible. Its principal instrument of de- 

 slruclion is tbe tail, with a single blow 

 There is no animal but man, iliat can combat it with 

 in Egypt. It is not a dangerous animal, and is only 



ils companion in the chase, 

 at the place where tbe 

 up 



of this, it has often overturned a canoe, 

 success. Tbe Land Crocodile is found 

 5 feet long. 



Lizards, serpents, and other reptiles abound in every part of Africa. The enormous Py- 

 'hon, a serpent of 30 feet long, lurks in the fens and morasses, and the Clianieleon ( Chamceleo 



Ratel. 



Crocodile, 



vulgaris),, may be seen on every hedge or shrub. Among the venomous ?,pecies, the Dipsas, 

 the Jlsp {Vipera haja), and the Cerastes or Horned Viper,, are often mentioned by the poets, 

 and the Garter Snake and others are employed by the Bosjesmans to poison their arrows. Of 

 the insects, Africa also contains many *housand kinds. The Locust has been, from time im- 

 memorial, the proverbial s"ou''ge of lha continent ; Scorpions, scarcely less to be dreaded than 



