THE SYRIAN HYRAX. 49 



grayish brown, becoming of a paler tint beneath. There 

 is no tail. The following communication, by Mr. W. 

 R. Read (see ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' 

 1835, p. 13), needs no apology for its insertion : — 



" The Hyrax Capensis is found inhabiting the hollows 

 and crevices of rocks, both on the summits and sides of 

 hills, as well as near the sea-shore, even a little above 

 high-water mark. It appears to live in families, and is 

 remarkably shy in its wild state. In winter it is fond of 

 coming out of its hole, and sunning itself on the lee side 

 of a rock, and in summer of enjoying the breeze on the 

 top ; but in both instances, as w ell as when it feeds, a 

 sentinel is on the look-out (generally an old male), 

 which gives notice, usually by a shrill prolonged cry, of 

 the approach of danger, or even the least movement of 

 any suspicious object. It lives on the young shoots of 

 shrubs, the tops of flowers, herbs, and grass, particularly 

 of all those which are aromatic." 



The Syrian IIyrax {H. Syriacus). 



This species, according to Bruce, is found in Abys- 

 sinia, where it haunts the deep caverns and clefts in the 

 rocks. By the natives of Amhara it is termed Ashkoko, 

 or Askoko. It also tenants the mountains of Syria and 

 Arabia ; and, as in days of old, the rocks of Horeb and 

 of Sinai are still "a refuge for the conies." By the 

 Arabs, according to Dr. Shaw, it is called Daman Israel, 

 that is. Lamb of Israel, or rather Ganam or Gannim 

 Israel, as Bruce contends, the word Daman being mis- 

 taken for the latter. Mos authorities agree that it is 

 the Shaphan (translated cony) of the Scriptures. The 

 Syrian hyrax agrees in habits with its Cape relative. 

 It tenants the acclivities of the rocks, sheltering itself 

 under projecting ledges, in deep fissures and caves ; it 

 is gregarious, and dozens may be often seen either 

 sitting upon the great stones at the mouth of the caves, 

 to warm themselves in the sun, or playfully skipping 

 about in the enjoyment of the freshness of the evening. 

 When captured, they inflict severe wounds with their 



