2i>2 HYRACIDJi. 



the genera Hyrax and Dendrohyrax. In Hyrax (Nos. 7246, 724 (/, 

 & 724 li) it is elongate, half as long again aa broad, with a short, 

 broad process at the lower side of the condyle. In Dendrohyrax 

 (No. 1142 6) the bladebone is broad, irregular, four-fifths as broad 

 as long, with an elongate compressed process on the lower side of 

 the condjde ; the lower edge of the bone in Hyrax is sloping for 

 half its length, and then nearly straight ; in Dendrohyrax this edge 

 is arched from the condyle to the end, the broadest part being near 

 the middle of the lower edge (see Cuvier, Oss. Foss. t. 3. f. 1 ; Blain- 

 ville, Osteogr. t. 3). The following are the measurements, in inches 

 and lines : — 



Hyrax, Dendrohyrax, 



72ib. 1142 b. 



Length of upper edge 2 2 .... 1 9 



„ lower edge 2 1 .... 1 7 



Width at widest part 1 7 .... 1 6 



Skulls with the teeth in change show the mUk and permanent 

 cutting-teeth at the same time, thus having four upper cutting-teeth, 

 A skull with teeth in this state is figured by Cuvier (Oss. Foss. ii. 

 p. 135, t. 2. f. 5). 



In most skulls there is a small hole on each side near the back 

 edge of the cutting-teeth, which Cuvier calls the frous incisifs (t. 2. 

 f. 2n) ; see also Jaeger, Wiir^b. naturw. Jahresb. 1860, xvi. t. 2. 

 f. 20 X, who regards it as the remainder of a deciduous second cut- 

 ting-tooth. This pit is less distinct and nearer the base of the 

 cutting- teeth in the skull of Dendrohyrax. 



Professors Hemprich and Ehrenberg propose as a specific character 

 the length of the feet compared with the tibiae ; but this is difiicult 

 to observe in dried specimens or in set-up skeletons, as the length 

 of the feet must depend greatly on how the specimens are mounted. 



It is the fashion with certain naturalists (as M. Claparede, for 

 example) to find fault with zoologists for describing specimens in 

 museums ; but, as far as mammalia are concerned, it is much more 

 difiicult to describe them from living specimens ; for then one cannot 

 observe their teeth and bones, or compare many specimens with one 

 another, and can rarely have the opportunity of compaiing several 

 species at the same time, — all much greater evils than not being 

 able to tell the sex &e. of the specimens contained in museums. I 

 must say that I think the accusation that " museums are a great 

 incubus to science " must have arisen from the naturalist making it 

 taking a very limited view of the subject. Museums may cause 

 some evil (what does not ?) ; but the advantages of a large collection 

 far exceed any evil I have ever experienced or can ever conceive to 

 arise from them. 



The species may be thus arranged : — 



1. Hthax. 



a. Dorsal spot black . ... 1. Hyrax capensis. South Africa. 

 h. Dorsal spot yellow. 



* Fur harsh 2. Hyrax Burtonii. North and West Africa. 



3. Hyrax Wehiitschii. Angola. 



