VERTEBRATA : MAMMALIA. 



747 



Africa, Asia Minor, Arabia, and Persia, ranging into India. 

 The spotted Hyaena (ff. crocutd) occurs all over Africa south 

 of the Sahara ; and the Brown Hyaena (H. brunnea) is also 

 found in the south of Africa. 



Closely allied to the Hyaenas is the .curious Aardwolf (Pro- 

 teles), of South Africa, sometimes raised to the rank of a dis- 

 tinct family (Protelidcz), which has decided affinities with the 

 Civets. It has the fore-feet pentadactylous, and the hind-feet 

 tetradactylous (as in the Dogs). It is a nocturnal burrowing 

 animal, about as large as a Fox, and of a yellowish-grey colour, 

 with black stripes on the sides, and it feeds on White Ants and 

 carrion. 



The next family is that of the Canidce, comprising the Dogs, 

 Wolves, Foxes, and Jackals. The members of this family 

 are characterised by having pointed muzzles, smooth tongues, 



Fig. 435. Dentition of the Wolf (Canis lupus) : p Upper carnassial ; 

 w 1 Lower carnassial. 



and non-retractile claws. The fore-feet have five toes each, 

 the hind-feet have only four. A large caecum is present (being 

 small in the Cats and absent in the Bears). The snout is pro- 

 longed, and there is a numerous series of teeth (fig. 435), the 

 dental formula of the Dog being 



4 4 2 2 



; pm - - ; m - = 42. 



4 4' 33 



33 i 



