THE HYAENA FAMILY. 171 



THE HYAENAS. 



The Hyaenas have three false molars above, and four 

 below, all conical, blunt and singularly large; their su- 

 perior carnivorous tooth has a small tubercle within and 

 in front; but the inferior has none, presenting only two 

 stout trenchant points. So powerful are the muscles of 

 the neck and jaws of the Hyaenas that it is almost impos- 

 sible to wrest anything from between their teeth, with 

 which they are able to crush the bones of the largest prey. 

 They are nocturnal animals inhabiting caves, and are 

 extremely voracious, feeding chiefly on dead bodies, 

 which they seek for even in the grave. A thousand super- 

 stitious traditions are connected with them, and among 

 the Arabs their name is a symbol of obstinacy. 



There are three distinct species of Hyaena, all repul- 

 sive animals. Owing to the shortness of their loins and 

 the lowness of their hind-quarters they do not walk, 

 but progress by a sort of quick shuffle, occasionally giv- 

 ing utterance to peculiar unearthly cries. They are as 

 cowardly as they are ravenous, and hunt in packs for 

 their food, whether it be carrion or living prey. Strange 

 as it may seem these beasts can be tamed and even domes- 

 ticated. 



The Striped, or Laughing Hyaena (Hyaena-striata), in- 

 cludes most of Africa, and Syria, Mesopotamia, Persia 

 and India in its range. It is about the size of a 

 large dog, but its feet are redigitigrade with retractile 

 claws. It has the prowling, nocturnal habits of all of its 

 kind, hiding in caves during the day. 



The Spotted Hyaena (Hyaena-croeuta), has its habitat 

 in South Africa. It has a thin fur of light brown color 

 marked with dark brown spots; and there is a ridge of 

 longer hair between the shoulders. The tail is thin and 

 bristling; and the head is round, with dark, prominent 

 eyes. 



The Brown Hyaena (Hyaena-brunnea) is also found in 

 the south of Africa, where the inhabitants of the Cape 

 call it the Shore Wolf which it resembles in size. Its 

 pelage, which is darker than that of other Hyaenas, 

 is from eight to ten inches in length on the back and 



