THE ST11II'£D llV.KNA. 



it poui'S tbrtli, accompanving these horrid sounds with the most ahsiird gestures 

 of body and hmbs. During the time tliat tlic creature is engaged in uttering 

 these wihl fearful peals of laughter it dances about in a state of ludicrously 

 frantic excitement, running backwards and fonvards, rising on its hind legs, 

 and rapidly gyrating on those members, nodding its head repeatedly to 

 tlie ground ; ailj, in tine, performing the most singular antics with wonderful 

 rapidity. 



The Hyaena is too vexatious a neiglibour not to be persecuted, and frequently 

 falls a victim to the treacherous spring-gun, in spite of the benefits he 

 confers on mankind by his unfailing energy in devouring every scrap of eatable food. 



To set a gun for the purpose of Ilyiena shooting is an easy matter, and is 

 managed as follows : The loaded musket is lixed horizontally to a cou])le of posts, 

 about the height of a Hyama's head. A string is then fastened to the trigger, 

 one end of which is passed liehind the trigger guard, or througli a ring ])hiceil 

 for the purpose, and the other is tirmly tied to a piece of meat, which is hung on 

 the muzzle of the gun. When a passing liycTna, prowling about in search of 

 ])rey, is attracted bv the meat, he seizes it between his teeth, and thus draws tlie 

 triixtrer of the Kun, lodyrin'M he bullet in his head. Tenacious of life as is the 

 Ilyacna, he falls dead on tiic spot. 



In order to attract the notice of the llya'uas, a piece of ])utrid llesh is drugged 

 along the gromul so as to leave an odoriferous trail leading to the treacherous weapon. 



Taught by experience, the HycTuas have become so suspicious of an oi)ject 

 which they do not understand, ;md to which tliey are not accustomed, that 

 the very sight of a ])iece of string alarms them, and guards them from self 

 immolation in many a trap. So the farmei-s, who chietly set these explosive 

 traps, match the creature's cunning by their own su|)erior intellect, and substitute 

 the stems of creei)ing ])lants for the hempen cord or leathern thongs. These 

 objects are regarded without suspicion, and by their assistance the outwitted 

 Hyaena is laid low. 



In chasing living animals the llyjena employs the same caution that ciiarat- 

 terises his ordinary proceedings. When they seize their ])rey the Hyaenas care- 

 fully avoid those spots where the aftrighted animal miglit reach them with its 

 hoofs, teeth, or horns. They never seem to spring on the animal's neck, but hang 

 on to its flanks, dragging itlo the ground by the mingled weight of their body 

 and the pain of the wound. Many veteran oxen and horses are deeply scarred 

 in the flanks by the teeth of the Hyscna, which has made its attack, but has been 

 scared away or shaken oft". 



T'he eyes of the Hyaenas are singularly re})ulsi\ e in their expression, being round, 

 dull, and almost meaningless. 



