294 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



SKULL OF COXEY. 



is always placed on the look-out, generally an old male, which gives notice of any approach of danger 

 by a long shrill cry. 



" Its principal food is the young tops of shrubs, especially those which are aromatic, but it also 

 eats herbs, grass, and the tops of flowers. To eat it tastes much like a Rabbit. It is recorded 

 that one gentleman caught two young ones which he kept for some time. They became very tame, 

 and as they were allowed the run of the house would follow him about, jump 011 to his lap, or creep 

 into his bed for the sake of the warmth. One brought home by Mr. Hennah would also run inquisi- 

 tively about the cabins, climbing up and examining every person and thing, but startled by any 

 noise, it would run away and hide itself. When shut up for long, it became savage and snarled 

 and tried to bite at everything that came in its way. This animal, both when wild as well as when 

 tame, is very cleanly in its habits. From its faintly crying in its sleep it may be supposed that it 

 dreams. It has also been heard to chew its food at night. When tame it will eat a variety of things, 

 the leaves of plants, bruised Indian corn, raw potatoes, bread, and onions, and will greedily lick up salt. 



The one brought home by Mr. Hennah was very sensible of 

 the cold, for when a candle was placed near its cage, it would 

 come as close as possible to the bars, and sit still to receive as 

 much warmth as it could. I am inclined to think that the 

 female does not produce more than two young ones at a time, 

 from having observed in several instances but two following 

 the old ones. Its name at the Cape is the Dasse, which is, I 

 believe, the Dutch for a Badger." 



In structure, the skull of the Hyrax approaches more nearly 

 to that of the Ungulata (animals with hoofs), especially to that 

 of the Rhinoceros, than it does to that of any of the Rodents. 

 The nose of the Hyrax, however, not having any horn to snp. 

 port, the nasal bones are not thickened, as they are in the Rhi- 

 noceros. There is a marked distinction between the maxillary, or upper jaw-bones of the Hyrax and 

 those of the Rodents, the extent of the former being much smaller. In the former, also, there are 

 two parietal bones, as compared with one in the latter. The joint, or condyle of the lower jaw, differs 

 from that of the Rodents, in which it is compressed longitudinally, while in the Hyrax it is com- 

 pressed transversely, as in the Ungulata, being also applied to a plane surface of the temporal bone, 

 whereby a motion more or less horizontal is permitted. 

 The Hyrax has no canine teeth. The upper incisors 

 resemble those of Rabbits and Hares in number, 

 which are four in the adult, and those of Rodents 

 generally in the possession of persistent pulps. In 

 shape they approach more to the form of the canines 

 of the Hippopotamus by terminating in a point. The 

 number of lower incisors is also four, and they are 

 procumbent somewhat like those of the Hog. The 

 grinders, both in number and form, resemble those of 

 the Rhinoceros. 



With regard to the number of ribs, the Hyrax 

 approaches nearer to the Ungulata and Proboscidea 

 than it does to the Rodents. It departs from the 

 former in the number of the vertebrae and form of 

 the pelvis ; but again approaches them in the form of 



the femora (thigh bones), and also in the formation of the feet ; the toes are four in front and th 

 behind, as in the Tapir, and they are supplied with hoofs, or rounded hoof-like nails. They are without 

 collar-bones (clavicles). The body of the Hyrax is covered with thick hair, which is here and there 

 beset with bristles, and the tail is represented by a mere tubercle. No remains of the Hyrax have 

 yet been found in a fossil state. W. BOYD DAWKINS. 



H. W. OAKLEY. 



DENTITION OF CONEY. 



