189 



THE SYRIAN HYRAX. 



Hyrax Syrianus.~ GMELIN. 

 PLATE XIV. 



Hyrax Syrianus, Gmel. Ashkoko, Bruce? Le Daman 

 d'Ethiopie, H. Syriacus, Fred. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. des 

 Mammif. 



RECEDING, in its pigmy size, from the great bulk 

 of the proboscidean animals, this little creature 

 approaches nearest to the form of the Glires or 

 Rodentia, looking like a diminutive Hare ; and, 

 instead of the strong hide, bare and wrinkled, or 

 with only a few hard bristles, it is clothed with a 

 thick and short fur; and, in place of dwelling in 

 the forest, like the Elephant and Rhinoceros, or 

 in the extensive morasses, as the Mastodon was 

 supposed to do, it finds its retreat among the rocks, 

 and affords a support to the birds of prey which 

 haunt its localities, from the convenience of a 

 ready food ; and one species, from these habits, 

 has received the title of " Rock Rabbit," or 

 Cape Badger." 



