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RODENTS. 
The cane-rat has an extensive distribution in Africa, ranging from the Upper 
Nile (where it is represented by a variety with partially-webbed hind-feet) through 
Eastern and Central Africa to the Cape; while on the western side it ranges as far 
north as Guinea. In Guinea it is known to the natives as the yumba, while in 
South-Eastern Africa it is termed the ivondue. In Sierra Leone it is said to 
feed chiefly upon ground-nuts and roots, in search of which it digs in the soil, 
while it also forms burrows for its residence. In South-Eastern Africa the habits 
of these rodents appear to be somewhat different. For instance, Mr. W. H. 
Drummond states that cane-rats “ do not form burrows of their own; but when 
forced out of the thick tangle of overgrown grass or reeds in which they 
lie, a task by no means easy of accomplishment, they take refuge in any hole 
or crevice among rocks or stones, or in the deserted burrows of the ant-eater or 
porcupine. They are not only destructive to a degree among sugar-cane, gnawing 
down stem after stem, but most difficult to extirpate. In spots such as these, they 
live in what fields happen to be lying fallow, which, being covered with an impene¬ 
trable thicket of grass and weeds, offer them a secure retreat from which they can 
nightly issue forth into the canes.” The cane-rat is largely hunted by the natives, 
and in some cases by Europeans, for the sake of its flesh. Schweinfurth remarks that 
its flesh “ is excellent when roasted; it is rich, and without being sweet and insipid 
like that of the hyrax, it is free from any unpleasant flavour. In quality it is about 
equal to poultry, whilst in taste it may be described as being intermediate between 
pork and veal.” 
Other Genera. 
There are numerous other South American representatives of the 
Octodonts. These are mostly smaller rat-like forms than the preceding, 
with long cylindrical tails; many of them being remarkable for the intermixture of 
flattened lance-like spines with the fur. Some of the best known genera are Loncheres 
and Echinomys, and these are mostly characterised by the possession of the above- 
mentioned spines. The majority of the species of these two genera inhabit Guiana 
and Brazil, but one species of Echinomys ranges into Central America. Most of them 
are brown above and white beneath, but in some cases the white extends on to the 
flanks, shoulders, and head, thus giving them somewhat the appearance of long¬ 
tailed guinea-pigs. A third genus, Carteroclon, of which there is but one Brazilian 
species, is distinguished by a longitudinal groove on each upper incisor. 
The Porcupines. 
Family IlYSTlilClD.-E. 
The well-known porcupines, which have the widest geographical distribution 
of any family of this section of the order, are distinguished from their allies by 
the presence of a number of large quill-like spines in the skin. Their build is stout 
and massive; and the fore and hind-limbs are of subequal length. In the skull, 
the region of the face is comparatively short and broad; while the cheek or jugal 
bone in the zygomatic arch is devoid of the angle on its lower edge, distinctive of 
most of the members of the preceding family. The molar teeth are partly or 
completely rooted with folds of enamel on each side. Porcupines derive their 
