<78 HYENAS. 



ably alike in disposition, and supposing that if I went up to either of 

 them they would be alarmed, I sat down with ray back against the 

 wall, and quietly waited, taking no notice whatever of the Chetahs. 



In a short time the curiosity of the cat-nature overcame distrust ; 

 the two Chetahs came closer and closer, until at last the male, who was 

 larger and stronger than his mate, began to sniifat ray hand with out- 

 stretched neck. Finding that no harra ensued, he came a little closer, 

 and I began to stroke his nose lightly. This he rather liked, and be- 

 fore long I was able to stroke his head, chin, neck, and back, the ani- 

 mal being as pleased as a cat would have been. Presently he came 

 and sat down by me, and I then got from his neck to his legs, just as 

 Rarey used to " gentle " a horse. 



The next move was to lift up his foot and put it down again, and 

 then, taking hold lightly of his wrist, to press the fore-finger on the 

 base of the claws so as to press them from their sockets. This rather 

 startled him, and with a sharp hissing sound he struck smartly for- 

 ward. As he struck I slipped my hanrl up his leg, so that the blow 

 was ineffectual, and presently made another attempt. He now found 

 out that no harra was intended, and in a very short tirae I had his paw 

 on niy knee, and was allowed to push out the claws as I liked, proving 

 that they were as retractile as those of a cat. The oddest part of the 

 proceeding was that he appropriated me to himself, and would not al- 

 low his mate to come near nie, exemplifying the jealousy of all ani- 

 mals when brought into contact with raau. 



The spots which so profusely stud the body and lirabs are nearly 

 round in their form and black in their tint. Excepting upon the fiice, 

 there seem to be no stripes like those of the tiger, but upon each side 

 of the face there is a bold black streak which runs from the eye to the 

 corner of the raouth. The hair about the throat, chest, and flanks is 

 rather long, and gives a very determinate look to the animal. 



The Chetah is known as an inhabitant of many parts of Asia, in- 

 cluding India, Sumatra, and Persia, while in Africa it is found in Sen- 

 egal and at the Cape of Good Hope. 



HYENAS. 



The group of animals which are so well known by the title of Hy- 

 7!<:nas are, although raost repulsive to the view and most disgusting in 

 their habits, the very saviours of life and health in the countries where 

 they live, and where there is necessity for their existence. In this 

 land, and at the present day, there is no need of such large animals as 

 the Hycenas to perform their necessary and useful task of clearing the 

 earth from the decaying carcases which cumber its surface and poison 

 Its air, for in our utilitarian age even the very hairs from a cow's hide 



