FAMILY HYJEXIDJEj HYJENA. 219 



in their dentition, however, they are closely related in many 

 points to the Civets, and are connected with them by a remark - 

 ahle genus to be presently noticed. The skull of the Hyaena is 

 short, and remarkable for its solidity; the muzzle also is short; and 

 the temporal muscles, which raise the lower jaw, together with 

 those of the neck, are enormously developed. The vertebrae of 

 the neck, in adult animals, are often found to be united together ; 

 as if for the purpose of resisting the most violent strains. The 

 general form of the body is very peculiar. The neck, chest, and 

 shoulders are extremely powerful ; but the hind-quarters are low, 

 and the hind legs seem comparatively feeble, giving a kind of 



awkward shuffle to the pace. 

 The toes are four on each foot ; 

 and are furnished with blunt, 

 stout, unretractile claws. Be- 

 neath the tail is a deep pouch, 

 analogous to that of the Civets, 

 but not secreting a similar odorous 

 substance. The Hyaenas are es- 

 sentially carrion-feeders ; and are 



Fio. 109. SPOTTED HYJKNA; J ' 



destined to fill up an important 



station in the economy of nature. They cleanse the earth of tha 

 decaying carcasses of the larger beasts, whose remains, if not 

 speedily removed, would infect the atmosphere with pestilential 

 effluvia. They devour, too, the remains left by other beasts of 

 prey ; being specially enabled to do so by the enormous strength 

 of their jaws, and by the peculiar conformation of their teeth, 

 which are adapted rather for crushing hard substances, than for 

 dividing animal flesh ; and these, by their combined power, 

 enable them to crunch even the largest bones, so as to extract 

 from them the nutritious matter they contain. The Hyaenas will 

 seize upon living animals also ; but seldom attack Man openly, 

 except in self-defence. Their haunts by day are dens and caves, 

 gloomy rocks, and the ruins of towns and sepulchral monuments 

 of antiquity. As darkness sets in, these fierce beasts emerge 

 from their lair, and prowl in search of their prey, with menacing 

 teeth and glaring eyes. Notwithstanding the ferocity of its dis- 



