80 NATURAL HISTORY. 



This rare aniirial was first mentioned and described by Andrew Sparman in 1772-6, but his 

 account of it attracted little notice until it was re-discovered by the .traveller Delalande, who 

 brought specimens to France, where the beast was described and christened after him, Proteles 

 Lcdandii, or Delalandii. 



The relatior ships of the Aard- Wolf are well shown by its external appearance. It has the sloping- 

 back of a Hysena, owing to the fore legs being longer 

 than the hind legs ; but its head is quite Civet-like, 

 the snout being long and pointed, and altogether un- 

 like a Hyaena's. Its size is that of a full-grown Fox, 

 but it stands higher upon its legs ; its ears are con- 

 siderably larger and more naked, and its tail shorter 

 and not so bushy. At first sight it might be easily 

 mistaken for a young Striped Hysena, so closely does 

 it resemble that animal in the colours and peculiar 

 markings of its fur, and in the mane of long stiff hair 

 \vhich runs along the neck and back ; indeed, it is 



SXT.-LL OF AARD-AVOLF.' on ty * ^ e distinguished by its more pointed head, and 



by the additional fifth toe of the fore-feet. It is also 



quite Hyaena-like in colour, being of a dull yellowish-grey tint, and marked with dark brown stripes 

 and a black muzzle. 



The skull has all the essential characters of that of a Viverrine, the form to which it approaches 

 most nearly being the Ichneumon. The teeth are also Civet-like, but in the characters of its internal 

 organs it approaches more nearly to the Hyaenas. 



" In its habits and manners the Aard- Wolf resembles the Fox. Like that animal it is nocturnal, 

 and constructs a subterraneous burrow, at the bottom of which it lies concealed during the day-time, 

 and only ventures abroad on the approach of night to search for food, and satisfy the other calls of 

 nature. It is fond of the society of its own species ; at least many individuals have been found residing 

 together in the same burrow ; and, as they are of a timid and wary character, they have generally 

 three or four entrances to this hole ; so that, if attacked on one side, they may secure a retreat in an 

 opposite direction. Notwithstanding the disproportionate length of their fore legs, they are said to 

 run very fast, and so strong is their propensity to burrow, that one of M. Delalande's specimens, 

 perceiving itself about to be run down or captured, immediately ceased its flight, and began to scratch 

 up the ground, as if with the intention of making a new earth." Its food consists very largely of 

 carrion, but it also devours Ants. Owing to the former " high " kind of diet, the animal is generally 

 possessed of an extremely bad smell. 



With regard to its fighting propensities, which it probably possesses in common with all its 

 relations partly from the necessities of the struggle for existence, and partly from pure quarrelsome- 

 ness -we may mention Professor Flower's observation, that there is a " rounded patch in front of each 

 wrist joint," or "knee," as the wrist of digitigrade quadrupeds is usually called, just as if the animals 

 were in the constant habit of kneeling. Professor Flower adds in a note : " Mr. Bartlett informs 

 me that this is the habit both of the Proteles and the Hyaenas, especially when fighting. He attributes 

 it, at least in the case of the Hyaenas, to an instinctive dread lest their feet should be seized and 

 crushed by the powerful jaws of their adversary." 



