486 



THE CARNIVORES 



creatures from which the hyaenas were derived, but which has undergone a kind of 

 retrograde development to suit the needs of a particular mode of life. It was long 

 thought to be confined to South Africa, but it has been subsequently found to range 

 on the West Coast as far north as Angola, and quite recently a single skin has been 

 obtained from Somaliland, so that it probably extends right across the continent. 



According to the accounts of all travelers through the Cape districts, it 

 appears to be a comparatively rare animal, although this apparent rarity is doubt- 

 less, in some degree, due to its purely nocturnal habits. As its name implies, it lives 

 in burrows, which are made by itself ; and, according to the account of the traveler 

 De Lalande, several individuals may inhabit one and the same burrow, which has 

 generally at least two or three exits. Like all burrowing animals, it is of a timid 

 and cowardly disposition, and, when driven from its burrow, makes off at a rapid 

 pace. The aborted condition of the teeth would alone suffice to indicate that it 

 subsisted on a diet different from that of ordinary Carnivores ; and that such is 

 really the case has been proved by observations made upon both wild and captive 

 specimens. In the wild state it appears that its chief food consists partly of carrion 

 and partly of the so-called white ants, or termites, which are dug out of their hills 

 with its strong claws. 



SKELETON OF SPOTTED HYAENA. 



THE HYENAS 

 Family 



In our notice of the lion, it was mentioned that there was considerable diversity 



rf opinion as to his character and bearing ; but no such uncertainty exists with regard 



the hyaena, which, by common consent, is skulking, cowardly, treacherous, and 



iruel ; and, so far as we are aware, no one has ever had a good word to say for him. 



