Cassell's Natural History, Vol. 2 (of 6)

CHAPTER I.. Introductory Remarks--the Cat Family. Page

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS--THE CAT FAMILY. PAGE

THE CARNIVORA--Division into Terrestrial (Fissipedia) and Aquatic (Pinnipedia)--Introductory Remarks on the FISSIPEDIA--Their Relations to Man and to other Animals--Their Distribution over the Surface of the Globe--Their Structure--The Diversity of their Form and Habits--Their Division into Lesser Groups--THE CAT FAMILY--Their Geographical and Chronological Distribution--Their Skeleton--The Peculiarities of their Skull, Teeth, &c. 1

CHAPTER II.. The Cat Family--the Lion.

THE CAT FAMILY--THE LION.

THE LION--Its Geographical Distribution at the Present Day and in Ancient Times--Its Haunts--Varieties of the Lion--Distinction between the Lion and other Cats--Its Courage, Speed, and Strength--Its Roar--Its Supposed Magnanimity--Its Habits--Man-eating--Occasional resort to Vegetable Diet--Love-making--The Lion-cubs and their Education--Old Age--Breeding in Captivity--Lion Hunting 14

CHAPTER III.. The Cat Family--the Tiger and the Leopard.

THE CAT FAMILY--THE TIGER AND THE LEOPARD.

THE TIGER--Its Colour, Size, &c.--Geographical Distribution--Mention of the Tiger by Ancient Writers--Habits of the Tiger--Its Destructiveness--Native Superstitions--Tiger-hunting--THE LEOPARD--Historical Account--External Characters--Size--Geographical Distribution--Varieties--Habits--Love of Dog-meat--Clay-eating Propensities--Attracted by Small-pox Patients 30

CHAPTER IV.

THE CAT FAMILY--THE JAGUAR--THE SMALLER WILD CATS--THE DOMESTIC CAT.

THE JAGUAR--Its Character, Distribution, and Habits--Fondness for Negroes--THE PUMA--Its Character, Geographical Range, and Habits--Mode of Hunting the Puma--THE OUNCE--THE CLOUDED TIGER--The Character of its Fur, &c.--Its Habits--THE OCELOT--THE MARBLED TIGER-CAT--THE VIVERRINE CAT--THE PAMPAS CAT--THE LONG-TAILED TIGER-CAT--THE MARGAY--THE COLOCOLO--THE JAGUARONDI--THE EYRA--THE SERVAL--THE RUSTY-SPOTTED CAT--THE LEOPARD CAT--THE BAY CAT--THE SPOTTED WILD CAT--THE MANUL--THE EGYPTIAN CAT--THE COMMON WILD CAT--THE DOMESTIC CAT--Historical Sketch--Characters of Skin, &c.--Connection between Whiteness and Blindness--Habits--Use of Whiskers--Diet--Poaching Propensities--Fondness for Offspring--For Foster-children--Madness in Cats--Varieties--The Angora Cat, Manx Cat, Persian Cat, and Chinese Cat 44

CHAPTER V.. The Cat Family--the Hyæna Family--the Cryptoprocta Family--the

THE CAT FAMILY--THE HYÆNA FAMILY--THE CRYPTOPROCTA FAMILY--THE AARD-WOLF FAMILY.

THE COMMON JUNGLE CAT--THE COMMON LYNX--Historical Sketch--Geographical Distribution--Distinctive Characters--Habits--Uses--THE PARDINE LYNX--THE CANADIAN LYNX--THE RED LYNX--THE CARACAL--THE CHEETAH--Distinctive Characters--Geographical Distribution--Employment in Hunting--THE HYÆNA FAMILY--External Characters--Skull and Teeth--THE SPOTTED HYÆNA--Geographical Distribution--Habits--Laughing Propensities--THE BROWN HYÆNA--THE STRIPED HYÆNA--THE CRYPTOPROCTA FAMILY--Characteristics of the CRYPTOPROCTA--Its Occurrence and Habits--THE AARD-WOLF FAMILY--Characters and Habits of the AARD-WOLF 70

CHAPTER VI.. The Civet Family.

THE CIVET FAMILY.

General Characteristics of the Civet Family--Their Scent, Skull, and Teeth--THE AFRICAN CIVET--Its Characters and Habits--THE ASIATIC CIVET--THE LESSER CIVET--THE GENETTE--THE MUNGOOS, OR ICHNEUMON--Curious Superstition regarding it--THE CRAB MUNGOOS--THE PARADOXURE--THE BINTURONG 87

CHAPTER VII.. The Dog Family--the Domestic Dog.

THE DOG FAMILY--THE DOMESTIC DOG.

Section Cynoidea--Geographical Distribution--Skull of Dog--Teeth--Legs--Walk--Claws--Internal Anatomy--The Cæcum, or “Cul de sac” of the Intestine--Size--THE DOMESTIC DOG--Its Fidelity and Love--Differences between the Domesticated and Natural Species of the Family--Barking a Civilised Habit--Antiquity of the Dog--The Dog among the Hebrews and Egyptians--The Dog in the Bible--“Dog” as a Term of Reproach--Venerated by many Ancient Nations--The Dog among the Greeks and Romans--Pre-historic Dogs--Dogs in the New World--Peruvian Dogs--Superstitions about the Dog--The Dog as an article of Diet--Origin of the Dog--Identity of Structure of Wild and Domestic Dogs--The independent Training of Wild Canidæ by Savages in many parts of the World--Voice--Results of the whole question as to Origin--Anecdotes about Instinct, Reason, Docility--Muscles of Dog’s Head--Consociation of Dogs--Anecdotes of Sense of Right, Wrong, Duty, Conscience--Sensitiveness, Honesty, Theft, Cunning, Quarrelsomeness, Magnanimity, the reverse, Revenge, Hatred--Conjugal Affection--Devotion to Man--Fickleness--Despair--Rabies and Hydrophobia--Wonderful Variety of Breed 96

CHAPTER VIII.. The Dog Family--Dogs of Savages--Dogs of Civilised

THE DOG FAMILY--DOGS OF SAVAGES--DOGS OF CIVILISED NATIONS--WILD DOGS.

THE HARE INDIAN DOG--Its Characters, Disposition, &c.--THE ESKIMO DOG--The Dependence of the Greenlanders on its Existence--The Probability of its Speedy Extinction--Its Characters and Savage Disposition--Its Uses--DOMESTIC DOGS OF OTHER SAVAGE TRIBES--African Breeds--South American Breeds--THE DALMATIAN DOG--THE GREYHOUND--THE SCOTCH GREYHOUND--THE DEERHOUND--THE TURKISH GREYHOUND--THE GRECIAN GREYHOUND--THE PERSIAN GREYHOUND--THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND--THE COCKER--THE SPRINGER--THE KING CHARLES’S SPANIEL--THE BLENHEIM SPANIEL--THE CHINESE PUG-DOG--THE WATER-SPANIEL--THE POODLE--THE MALTESE DOG--THE LION-DOG--THE TURKISH DOG--THE ST. BERNARD DOG--THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG--THE SHEEP-DOG--THE POMERANIAN DOG--THE CUR--THE LURCHER--THE BEAGLE--THE HARRIER--THE FOXHOUND--THE STAGHOUND--THE BLOODHOUND--THE SETTER--THE POINTER--THE RETRIEVER--THE OTTER-HOUND--THE TURNSPIT--THE DACHSHOUND--THE BULL-DOG--THE BULL-TERRIER--THE MASTIFF--THE CUBAN MASTIFF--THE TIBET DOG--THE ENGLISH TERRIER--THE SCOTCH TERRIER--PARIAH DOGS--THE INDIAN WILD DOG--THE DINGO 127

CHAPTER IX.. The Dog Family--Wolves--Jackals--Foxes, Etc.

THE DOG FAMILY--WOLVES--JACKALS--FOXES, ETC.

THE WOLF--Historical Account--Geographical Distribution--Characteristics--Habits--Destructiveness--Tame Wolves--Varieties of the Wolf--THE PRAIRIE WOLF--THE RED WOLF--THE JACKAL--Its Character--Habits--“Jackal’s Horn”--Occurrence--THE BLACK-BACKED JACKAL--THE SENEGAL JACKAL--THE AGUARA--THE COMMON FOX--Characters distinguishing it from the true Dogs--Its Habits--Cunning--Occurrence--THE ARCTIC FOX--Its supposed Change of Colour according to Season--Its Habits--The Value of its Skin--THE FENNEC--THE LONG-EARED FOX--Why made a Distinct Genus--THE RACOON DOG--THE HYÆNA DOG--Its Character and Habits 149

CHAPTER X.. The Bear Family--the Bears.

THE BEAR FAMILY--THE BEARS.

Characters of the URSIDÆ--Their Mode of Progression--Teeth--Skull--Geographical Distribution--THE BROWN BEAR--Its Occurrence--Character--Habit of Hibernating--Diet--Moral Characteristics--Bear-baiting--Varieties--THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR--Its Habits--Superstitions of the Indians regarding it--THE GRIZZLY BEAR--THE SYRIAN BEAR--THE HIMALAYAN BEAR--THE SUN BEAR--THE SLOTH BEAR--Its Ant- and Bee-eating Propensities--THE SPECTACLED BEAR--THE POLAR BEAR--Its Size--Characteristics--Habits--Method of Hunting--The supposed Poisonous Properties of its Liver 163

CHAPTER XI.. The Racoon Family--the Panda Family--the Weasel Family--Fossil

THE RACOON FAMILY--THE PANDA FAMILY--THE WEASEL FAMILY--FOSSIL CARNIVORA.

THE RACOON FAMILY--Characters of their Skull, Teeth, &c.--Geographical Distribution--THE RACOON--Its Habit of Washing its Food--Its External Characters and Habits--Racoon Hunting--The Crab-eating Racoon--THE COATI--THE KINKAJOU--Its Lemur-like Appearance, Prehensile Tail, &c.--THE CACOMIXLE--THE PANDA FAMILY--THE PANDA--Its Character and Habits--The Ailuropus--THE WEASEL FAMILY--Anatomical Characters--Tail-glands--Division of the Family into Three Sub-families--Importance of the Mustelidæ as Fur-producing Animals--THE GLUTTON--Its Characters--Superstitions Regarding it--Its Cunning--THE MARTEN--THE PEKAN--THE SABLE--THE WEASEL--THE STOAT, OR ERMINE--The Difference between its Winter and Summer Dress, and the manner in which the Change takes place--THE POLECAT--THE FERRET--THE MINK--THE GRISON--THE TAYRA--THE RATEL--THE COMMON BADGER--Its Habits--Burrowing--THE AMERICAN BADGER--THE TELEDU--THE CAPE ZORILLA--THE COMMON SKUNK--Its Noxious Secretion--Hydrophobia produced by Skunk Bite--The Little Striped Skunk--The White-backed Skunk--THE COMMON OTTER--The Adaptation of its Structure to Aquatic Life--Use of Tame Otters for Fishing--The Canadian Otter--The Margined-tailed Otter--THE SEA OTTER--Its Affinities with the Seals--How it is Hunted--GENERAL RELATIONS OF THE LAND CARNIVORA--FOSSIL CARNIVORA--The Tendency of these to bridge over Existing Groups--Appendix to Chapter VI. (Civet Family)--THE CYNOGALE--THE CYNICTIS--THE MANGUE--THE SURICATE 177

THE AQUATIC OR MARINE CARNIVORA.

CHAPTER I.. Introduction--the Walrus, or Morse.

INTRODUCTION--THE WALRUS, OR MORSE.

Pinnipedia distinctly Aquatic--The Three Families--Their Common Characteristics--Skeleton--Mobility of Figure--Feet--Dentition--Skull--Tongue--Stomach--Intestine--Peculiar Disposition of Blood-vessels of Liver--Lungs--Sense of Smell--Larynx--Brain--Sense of Hearing--The Walrus Family--Characteristics--THE WALRUS, OR MORSE--Geographical Distribution--Fossil Forms--Weight--Size--Appearance in Old Age--Mode of Walk--Habits--On Guard--In the Water--Attacked--Tusks--Dentition of the Young--Uses of the Tusks--Food--Long Fasts--Story of “Jamie,” a Tame Walrus--The Young--Maternal Affection--Massacre--Walrus as an Article of Diet 209

CHAPTER II.. Ii.--the Sea Lion Family (otariidæ).

II.--THE SEA LION FAMILY (OTARIIDÆ).

Various Names--Peculiarities of Distribution--Characteristics of the Family--Dentition--Skull--Fossil Remains--Distinction between Fur and Hair Seals--Preparation of the Seal-skin--THE NORTHERN FUR SEAL--History--The Pribyloff Islands--Male, Female, Young--“Hauling-grounds”--Wintering--Males at the Islands in Spring--Desperate Battles for Seaward Positions--Approach of the Females--Struggles for Wives--The Young--Abstinence from Food, Water, and Sleep for more than Two Months--Neutral Ground in the “Rookeries”--Habits of the Young--Food--Annual Slaughter--Estimated Numbers--Mode of Killing--STELLER’S SEA LION--GILLIESPIE’S HAIR SEAL--HOOKER’S SEA BEAR--The Wreck of the Grafton--Musgrave’s Narrative--Sufferings of the Castaways--Their Experiences among the Sea Bears--THE WHITE-NECKED OTARY--Distribution--Description--“Counsellor Seal”--THE PATAGONIAN SEA LION--Historical Associations--Impetus to the Study of the Family--François Lecomte--Its Docility and Intelligence--Its various Performances--Voracity--Lecomte’s Observations--Habits--THE FALKLAND ISLAND FUR SEAL--Habitat--The Hunter’s Boats--Driven from their Haunts--Captain Weddell’s Observations--Great Wariness and Speed--Size--Habits--THE SOUTH AFRICAN, OR CAPE FUR SEAL--THE NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL--THE ASH-COLOURED OTARY--Peron’s Services to Science 216

CHAPTER III.. Iii.--the Earless Seal Family (phocidæ).

III.--THE EARLESS SEAL FAMILY (PHOCIDÆ).

General Characteristics--Peculiar Formation of the Hind Legs--Dentition--Swimming--THE COMMON SEAL--Range--Fight between a Seal and Salmon--Colour--Appearance--Annual Catch--Use of Skins in Greenland--Habits--THE RINGED SEAL--Appearance--Various Names--Odour--Flesh--Skin Clothes--Haunts--Modes of Capture--Range--THE GREENLAND, OR SADDLEBACK SEAL--Habits--Appearance--Names--Range--Migrations--“Seals’ Weddings”--Five Stages of Colour--Females--Weight--Seal Fisheries--Hunting--Implements of Slaughter--Various Operations--The Sealers--Oil, Skins, &c.--THE BEARDED SEAL--THE GREY SEAL--THE MONK SEAL--THE CRESTED OR BLADDER-NOSE SEAL--Range--Size--Ferocity--Character of the so-called Crest--Dentition--Colour--THE ELEPHANT SEAL--Peculiar Range--Proboscis--Scammon’s Account--Habits--Hunting--Hardships of the Hunters--Recreations of the Men--Blubber, Oil, and Skins--ROSS’S LARGE-EYED SEAL--THE SEA LEOPARD--WEDDELL’S SEAL--THE CRAB-EATING SEAL--Concluding Remarks--The Slaughter of Seals--Remedies 231

ORDER CETACEA.--WHALES.

Whales--Vulgar Notions--Characteristics External and Internal--Larynx--Tail--Skeleton--Classification--THE TOOTHED WHALES--ZEUGLODONS--SQUALODONS--PHOCODONS--RIVER DOLPHINS--SUSU, OR GANGETIC DOLPHIN--Description--Habits--Teeth--INIA--PONTOPORIA--ZIPHIOID WHALES--CUVIER’S WHALE--VAN BENEDEN’S WHALE--SOWERBY’S WHALE--NEW ZEALAND BERARDIUS--BOTTLEHEAD, OR COMMON BEAKED WHALE--SPERM WHALES, OR CACHALOTS--SPERM WHALE--Description--Range--Fishery--Incidents of the Chase--Habits--Harpooned--Treatment of the Carcass--SHORT-HEADED WHALE, OR SNUB-NOSED CACHALOT--DOLPHINS--CAAING, OR PILOT WHALE--RISSO’S GRAMPUS--COMMON PORPOISE--KILLER WHALE, OR ORCA--Ferocity--TRUE DOLPHINS--COMMON DOLPHIN--BOTTLE-NOSE DOLPHIN--WHITE WHALE--NARWHAL--THE WHALEBONE WHALES--Whalebone--GREENLAND, OR RIGHT WHALE--BISCAY WHALE--JAPAN WHALE--CAPE WHALE--SOUTH PACIFIC WHALE--Description of the Greenland Whale--Their Food and Mode of Feeding--Habits--Hunting--Treatment of Carcass--HUMP-BACKED WHALES--FIN WHALES, OR RORQUALS--SIBBALD’S RORQUAL--SULPHUR-BOTTOM WHALE--COMMON RORQUAL, OR RAZOR-BACK--LESSER RORQUAL--Concluding Remarks 245

ORDER SIRENIA (THE MANATEES).

Introductory Remarks--Mermaids--Position--General Characteristics of the Order--STELLER’S RHYTINA--Habits--Extinct--Dugong--Range-- Habits--Uses--Teeth--MANATEE--Distribution--Peculiar Mouth--Mode of Feeding--Story of “Patcheley,” a Tame Manatee--Halitherium and other Fossil Forms 268

ORDER PROBOSCIDEA (ELEPHANTS).

Order Proboscidea--Antiquity of the Elephant--Referred to in the Bible--Mentioned in the Apocrypha--War Elephants--Their Accoutrements--Hannibal’s Elephants--Elephants amongst the Romans--Skull--Dentition--Vertebræ--Odd Delusion about its Legs--Proboscis--Species--THE INDIAN ELEPHANT--Size--Range--Habits--Various Modes of Capture--Keddah--Used as a Labourer or Nurse--Sagacity--White Elephants--THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT--Characteristics--Range--Habits and Haunts--Hunting--Pitfalls--Aggageers Chasing--Elephant-Shooting--How the Natives Cut it up--FOSSIL ELEPHANTS AND THEIR ALLIES--Absurd Stories--MAMMOTH--How it was first Found--Story of the Fourth or Benkendorf’s Discovery--Range--MASTODON--DINOTHERIUM 273

ORDER HYRACOIDEA (CONIES).

What is the Coney?--Mention in the Bible--General Appearance--Real Place--Range--Varieties--Coney of the Bible--Cape Coney--Ashkoko of Abyssinia--Mr. Winwood Reade’s Account of the Habits of the Cape Coney--Skull, Dentition, Ribs, &c. 292

ORDER UNGULATA (HOOFED QUADRUPEDS).

CHAPTER I.. Perissodactyla--the Equidæ, or Horse Family.

PERISSODACTYLA--THE EQUIDÆ, OR HORSE FAMILY.

Order UNGULATA--Divisions--PERISSODACTYLA--Characteristics-- EQUIDÆ--Species--Descent--First Domestic Horses in Europe--Used for Food--Mention of the Horse in the Bible--War-Chariots--The Horse among the Greeks and Romans--In Britain--Attempts to Improve the Breed--Colour--Teeth--“The Mark”--The Foot--Skull--Disease from the Gad-fly--RACE-HORSE--TROTTING HORSE OF AMERICA--DRAY HORSE--SHETLAND PONY--ARAB AND BARB--PERSIAN HORSE--WILD HORSES IN AMERICA--Habits--Byron’s “Mazeppa”--Capture and Breaking in--WILD HORSES IN AUSTRALIA--THE ASS--Species--Stripes--Characteristics--MULE AND HINNY--WILD ASS OF TIBET--ONAGER--WILD ASS OF ABYSSINIA--ZEBRAS--BURCHELL’S ZEBRA--QUAGGA--FOSSIL EQUIDÆ--Distribution--HIPPARION 295

CHAPTER II.. Perissodactyla--the Tapir and Rhinoceros Families.

PERISSODACTYLA--THE TAPIR AND RHINOCEROS FAMILIES.

Introductory Remarks on the Tapirs--Foot--Anatomical Features--Skull--Compared with that of Hog--Skull of Asiatic Tapir--Proboscis--Dentition--Species of Tapir--THE AMERICAN TAPIR--Habits--Colour--Modes of Hunting--Docility--THE HAIRY TAPIR--THE MALAYAN TAPIR--FOSSIL TAPIRS--THE RHINOCEROSES--General Characteristics--Is it the Reèm of the Bible?--Ludicrous Ideas respecting it--At Rome--First Rhinoceroses in Europe--Skeleton--Skull--Horns--Curious Dental Law--Fore and Hind Limbs--Dentition--AFRICAN RHINOCEROSES--“WHITE” RHINOCEROS--OSWELL’S RHINOCEROS--BLACK RHINOCEROS--KEITLOA--RHINOCEROS BICORNIS MINOR--Hunting--Sir Samuel Baker’s Extraordinary Chase--Gordon Cumming’s Account of the Characteristics and Habits of the Black and White South African Rhinoceroses--Rhinoceros Birds--THE ASIATIC RHINOCEROSES--Connection between Dentition and Horns--THE INDIAN RHINOCEROS--An Inveterate Enemy of the Elephant--THE JAVAN RHINOCEROS--THE SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS--THE HAIRY-EARED RHINOCEROS--How a Specimen, “Begum,” was Captured--THE FOSSIL RHINOCEROSES--The Extinct Families Palæotheridæ and Macraucheniadæ 317

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