THE STRIPED OR CRESTED HYENA. 219 



decaying carcasses which cumber its surface and poison its air, for in our utilitarian age 

 even the very hairs from a cow's hide are turned to account, and the driest bones are 

 made to subserve many uses. We need not the Hyenas, with their strong teeth, their 

 powerful jaws, their rapid digestion, and their insatiable appetite. For the animal sub- 

 stances which are cast out unburied on our land are generally either eaten or buried by 

 certain of the insect tribes, who are of a verity visible providences to us, assimilating into 

 their own being, or that of their progeny, the putrefying matter that, but for their pro- 

 vidential interference, would pour out clouds of poisoned gases, rife with pestilence 

 and disease. 



In those countries, as well as in our own, there are carnivorous and flesh-burying 

 insects, which consume the smaller animal substances ; but the rough work is left to 

 those industrious scavengers the Hyenas, which content themselves with the remains 

 of large animals. 



In the semi-civilized countries of Africa and Asia, the Hyena is a public benefactor, 

 swallowing with his accommodating appetite almost every species of animal substance 

 that can be found, and even crushing to splinters between his iron jaws the bones which 

 would resist the attacks of all other carnivorous animals. 



There are several species of Hyenas, which are found in Asia and Africa, such as the 

 Striped Hyena, sometimes called the Crested Hyena, or Strand Wolf, the Brown Hyena, 

 and the Tiger Wolf, or Spotted Hyena. The habits of all these animals are very similar. 

 The animals comprising this group are remarkable for their slouching, shambling gait, 

 which is caused by the disproportion that exists between their legs. The fore-legs, which 

 are used for digging, are powerful and well developed, but the hinder pair are so short 

 that the line of the back slopes suddenly downwards from the hips, and gives to the 

 creature a most sneaking and cowardly look. There are only four toes on each foot. 



Useful as is the Hyena when it remains within its proper boundaries, and restricts 

 itself to its proper food, it becomes a terrible pest when too numerous to find sufficient 

 nourishment in dead carrion. Incited by hunger, it hangs on the skirts of villages and 

 encampments, and loses few opportunities of making a meal at the expense of the 

 inhabitants. It does not openly oppose even a domestic ox, but endeavors to startle its 

 intended prey, and cause it to take to flight before it will venture upon an attack. In 

 order to alarm the cattle it has a curious habit of creeping as closely as possible to 

 them, and then springing up suddenly just under their eyes. Should the startled ani- 

 mals turn to flee, the Hyena will attack and destroy them ; but if they should turn to 

 bay, will stand still and venture no farther. It will not even attack a knee-haltered 

 horse. So it often happens that the Hyena destroys the healthy cattle which can run 

 away, and is afraid to touch the sickly and maimed beasts which cannot flee, and are 

 forced to stand at bay. 



Among the warlike tribes that inhabit the greater part of Africa this cowardly dis- 

 position throws a sad discredit on the animal, and they lavish upon the Hyena their 

 copious vocabulary of abusive terms. Even a weapon which has been used for the 

 purpose of killing a Hyena is held by them as entirely defiled, and rendered unfit for 

 the use of a warrior. Jules Gerard relates an incident of Hyena hunting, which, 

 although it reflects a little upon himself, he narrates with much humor. 



He had left the encampment, and was proceeding hurriedly along the path, when he 

 suddenly came upon a rough, hairy animal, which had been surprised by daybreak, and 

 was shambling along towards its home with a limping, hobbling gait, and an air of 

 blank astonishment. The animal, a Hyena, made off as fast as it could, and the hunter, 

 having left his gun with an attendant who was lingering behind, was fain to draw his 

 sabre, and charge the retreating beast as he best could. The Hyena was too quick 

 for him, and plunging among the bushes disappeared into a cavity at the foot of a 

 rock. 



The hunter was determined to secure the animal if he could, so he tied his horse to a 

 bush, and crawled into the little cavern. When fairly inside he found that he was 

 within a deserted stone quarry, where he could stand erect and freely use his arms. The 

 cavern was so dark, however, that he could not see the Hyena, and the only indication 

 of its presence was afforded by its teeth grinding upon the sword-blade, and endeavoring 



