THE HYyENA DOG IO5 



that lived in the Gardens for nine years. A figure 

 of three hunting dogs (male, female, and a young one 

 born on November i ith, 1898) appears in the Report 

 of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland for 1899. 



The interest attaching to the hyaena dog in cap- 

 tivity is not limited to its capacity as a mere mena- 

 gerie exhibit; for there is now abundant evidence of 

 a wish to utilise and not waste the animal riches of 

 Africa. Even the wild hound has been under official 

 consideration ; the late Major Wissman suggested 

 some years ago that the station authorities of German 

 East Africa should endeavour to domesticate "hyaena 

 dogs crossed with European breeds." Mongrels 

 between the wild hound and domestic dogs are said, 

 however, to be unsatisfactory ; but some have 

 thought that the hunting-dog itself might be useful 

 as a kind of rough and ready foxhound. It would 

 need a brave pioneer to first take the field with such 

 dubious assistance, for, Actseon-like, he might be 

 torn to pieces by his own pack ! The training of a 

 hunting leopard or of one of the caracal lynxes used 

 in Persia would be child's play in comparison with 

 the governing of an unruly, blood-thirsty crew of 

 hunting-dogs. 



In concluding this Essay it may be stated that in 

 view of the great variability of the present species 

 four distinct local forms are now recognised. Thus 

 the Cape race (Burchell's) is principally buff-yellow 

 with a whitish throat ruff; the Mozambique form is 



