DESULTORY SKETCHES IN NATURAL HISTORY. 55 



We believe this to be the true statement of the affinities of the 

 Lycaons : that they are not, physiologically, more nearly related to 

 the CanidcB than the other Hyoenince ; but that, in common with 

 the Dogs, they present the normal characters of the higher group 

 Digitigrada, from which all the other genera recede more or less, 

 and the rest of the Hycenince very remarkably : those distinctions 

 which especially characterize the minor type of Canidce, will, we 

 conceive, be vainly sought for in the anatomy of the Lycaons ; the 

 resemblance of which to the Dogs is rather of a negative kind, a 

 relationship of analogy, and not affinity, in reference to similarity 

 of habit.* It is not unlikely that certain large fossil species, resem- 

 bling in like manner the Canidce, should rather range in the pre- 

 sent group. 



The Lycaons are swift, long-legged animals, that hunt in orga- 

 nized packs, and by perseverance seldom fail to weary out the fleet- 

 est ruminants. Though principally nocturnal, they frequently 

 pursue their prey by day ; and individuals occasionally crouch in 

 wait for it, concealed in any slight cover. Sparrman describes 

 them as the most destructive to Sheep and Goats of the wild ani- 

 mals of South Africa, attacking not merely to allay their appetite, 

 but killing or wounding as many as they can. Unlike the Hyaena, 

 they appear to be endowed with much courage, and will sometimes 

 engage in conflict with a Dog of superior strength. The packs hunt 

 admirably in concert ; and on one occasion, relates Sparrman, a 

 a number of them had the hardihood to return after a man on horse- 

 back, who had been pursuing them. They are well-formed for 

 speed, standing higher on the legs than any wild species oi Cants ; 

 have large, ample ears, and singularly variegated colouring, dis- 

 posed in irregular patches ; with head resembling that of a Hyaena, 

 and similar thick neck (a common character of the ViverridceJ ; 

 and they are restricted in their distribution to Africa, the principal 

 habitat of the Hyceninw. y/r 



There appear to be at least two species : — 



* The second inferior true molar, if not found in the remaining Digitigra- 

 dttf occurs in other species of the next higher group, Carnivora, as in the re- 

 stricted Plantigrada generally. 



