The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 10 (of 10)Beddard, Frank E. (Frank Evers)
Science
The Cambridge natural history, Vol. 10 (of 10)
Beddard, Frank E. (Frank Evers)
Animals; Mammals
One of the most complex of these structures which has been examined
microscopically exists in the Marsupial _Myrmecobius_.[5] On the skin of
the anterior part of the chest, just in front of the {13} sternum, is a
naked patch of skin which is seen to be perforated by numerous pores.
Besides the ordinary sebaceous and sweat glands there are a series of
masses of glands, opening by larger orifices, which present the appearance
of groups of sebaceous glands, and are of a racemose character; but the
existence of muscular fibres in their coats seems to show that they should
be referred rather to the sudoriparous series. Beneath the integument is a
large compound tubular gland quite half an inch in diameter.
In _Didelphys dimidiata_ there is a precisely similar glandular area and
large underlying gland, the correspondence being remarkable in two
Marsupials so distant in geographical position and affinities. Even among
the Diprotodont genera there is something of the kind; for in _Dorcopsis
luctuosa_ and _D. muelleri_ is a collection of four unusually large
sebaceous follicles upon the throat, and in the Tree Kangaroo (_Dendrolagus
bennettii_) there is the same collection of enlarged hair-follicles, though
they are apparently somewhat reduced as compared with those of _Dorcopsis_.
These are of course a few examples out of many.
It seems to be possible that the functions of these various glands is at
least twofold. In the first place, they may serve, where predominant in one
sex, to attract the sexes together. In the second place, the glands may be
useful to enable a strayed animal of a gregarious species to regain the
herd. It is perfectly conceivable too that in other cases the glands may be
a protection, as they most undoubtedly are in the Skunk, from attacks. In
connexion with the first, and more especially the second, of the possible
uses of these glands, it is interesting to note that in purely terrestrial
creatures, such as the Rhinoceros, the glands are situated on the feet, and
would therefore taint the grass and herbage as the animal passed, and thus
leave a track for the benefit of its mate. The same may be said of the
rudimentary glands of Horses if they are really glands. The secretion of
the "crumen" of Antelopes is sometimes deposited deliberately by
_Oreotragus_ upon surrounding objects, a proceeding which would attain the
same end. One may even perhaps detect "mimicry" in the similar odours of
certain animals. Prey may be lured to their destruction, or enemies
frightened away. The defenceless Musk-deer may escape its foes by the
suggestion of the musky odour of a crocodile. It is at any rate perfectly
conceivable that the variety of odours among mammals may play a very {14}
important part in their life, and it is perhaps worthy of note that birds
with highly-variegated plumage are provided only with the uropygial gland,
while mammals with usually dull and similar coloration have a great variety
of skin glands.
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