IX 



WA-KIKUYU 



sepulchres the hyaenas. These animals belong to the 

 same group of Carnivora as the cats and civets, but differ 

 fioin tlicsc Ity their ungainly shape and ugliness. The 

 spotted hyu-iia (HytBna crocuta) is the species seen in 

 East Africa. 



This beast, when full-grown, is nearly three feet in 

 height and nearly six feet from the nose to the tip of 



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The spotted hyaena, the living sepulchre of the dead 

 Masai and Wa-Kikuyu. 



the tail. The hyaena has four toes on each foot, and as 

 the claws are non-retractile its footprints are easily 

 recognised by the marks of the nails, and by being 

 larger than those of the hunting-dog. Its front legs 

 are longer than the hind pair. It is difficult to tell the 

 sex of a hyaena on superficial examination. The voice 

 of the hyaena is extraordinary, on account of the variety 



