. OF THE, HY2ENA. 



and more thin of hair; but upon observing more 

 closely, we shall find the head broader, the nose 

 flatter and not so pointed. The eyes are not placed 

 so obliquely, but more like those of a dog. The 

 legs, particularly the hinder ones, are longer than 

 those either of the dog or wolf, and different from 

 all other quadrupeds in having but four toes on the 

 fore feet as well as the hinder ; its hair is of a dirty 

 greyish colour marked with black, disposed ia 

 waves down its body, its tail is short with longish 

 hair; these are some of the most striking distinc- 

 tions of the Hyaena, which nevertheless convey but 

 a very confused notion of its form. The manner of 

 holding its head is remarkable, it is somewhat like 

 a dog pursuing the scent, with its nose near the 

 ground. The head being held thus low the back 

 appears elevated like that of a hog, which with a 

 long bristly band of hair that runs all along, gives 

 it nearly the air of that animal, and it is probable 

 that from this similitude it first took its name, the 

 word Hyaena being greek, and derived from Y<7, 

 which signifies a sow ; though Pliny has derived 

 the word from the latin, ab hiando, from its ferocious 

 gaping to devour its prey. But no words can give 

 an adequate idea of this animal's figure, deformity, 

 and fierceness ; more savage and untameable than 

 any other quadruped, it seems to be for ever in -a 

 state of rage and rapacity, for ever growling, ex- 

 cept when receiving its food, its eyes then glisten, 

 the bristles of its back all stand upright, its head 

 hangs low, and yet its teeth appear, all which give 

 it a most frightful aspect, which a dreadful howl 



