DESULTORY SKETCHES IN NATURAL HISTORY. 71 



tion of which is sufficiently curious as compared with all the rest 

 of the Carnivorae, but particularly so in reference to the Hyaena 

 genus, to which, in other respects, it is proximately allied. 



The Protle (Proteles* Is. Geof.J, 



The incisors and canines of which present no deviation from the or- 

 dinary form, and are duly developed, though the exterior incisors 

 are not large ; but the complement of molars is deficient, and such 

 as are present appear as though their development had been pre- 

 maturely arrested at an early stage. 



There are, in all, four cheek-teeth on each side above, of very 

 small size, and separated from each other, especially the hindmost, 

 which presents a tuberculous surface, having two tubercles; the 

 three others being pointed false molars, and simply conical. In the 

 lower jaw there are two analogous false molars, which lock on 

 either side of the middle one above, the second having a slight 

 trace of a posterior process ; and situate much further backward, 

 but anteriorly to the upper true molar, is a third below, having 

 two little points, and also a small tubercle. The scissor-teeth are 

 altogether wanting; and of what use the other diminutive molars 

 can be to the animal is assuredly not obvious ; Dr. Smith, indeed, 

 asserts that they often fall out at an early age.t The incisors be- 

 longing to the only skull we have seen were singularly worn down, 

 as if much more employed by this than any other of the Carnivora. 



In other respects, the Protle is almost a miniature striped Hyaena, 

 but with more slender limbs, a developed fifth toe on the fore-feet, a 

 smooth tongue, smaller head, and finer brushy tail ; and not only 

 without the two additional pairs of ribs, but having one pair less 

 than the Lycaons and Dogs : the anal pouch, with its transverse 

 aperture, is precisely similar. Only one species is known. 



The Crested Protle, 



(Pr. cristatus, Auct. ; Pr, Lalandii, Is. Geof. ,• Viverra Hyceimdesy 

 Cuv., originally). 



Or ^«rrf-^o//^(" earth- wolf*') and Nadrou Jackaly of the Cape co- 

 lonists. It is less than a common Fox, of a greyish colour, with 



• u^orrtxts, undeveloped ; in reference to the structure of the molars, 

 ■j- African Zoology^ p. 48. 



