220 HT^NIDJE ; HY J.NA, PROTELES. FAMILY VIVERRID2E. 



position, the Hyaena is easily tameable when young ; and shows 

 much of the attachment to its master, which is characteristic of 

 the Dog. The Hyaena is confined to Africa and Asia ; the 

 striped species is a native of southern and central Asia, and of 

 northern Africa ; the spotted species, and another that bears 

 more resemblance to the striped, are found in Southern Africa, 

 and are great pests to the colonists. The Proteles or Aard-Wolf 



Fio. 110. PROTBLES LALANDF. 



(earth-wolf) of the Cape of Good Hope, is evidently the con- 

 necting link between the Hyaenas and the Civets ; resembling 

 the former in its general contour and manners, though of infe- 

 rior size and strength ; and having more of the lengthened head 

 and pointed muzzle of the latter. There are five toes on the 

 hind-feet, but only four on the fore-feet. In this respect there- 

 fore the Proteles resembles the Dogs, but its dentition is like that 

 of the Hyaenas. This animal is very destructive to the young 

 lambs ; and is said to attack the massive fatty protuberance on 

 the tails of the African sheep. 



195. Of the family VIVERRID^E, we shall first notice one of 

 the typical genera, the Viverra or Civet; which is characterised 

 by the possession of a double pouch, that secretes a fatty sub- 

 stance of a strong musky odour, used as a perfume ; by the half- 

 retractile power of the claws ; and by the pupil of the eye being 

 circular during the day, instead of being contracted into a vertical 



