CAKSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



fnnn the wilil Ix-itsts. Now, it would be natural to suppose that, should the liyiriia enter, lie would 



tin- tir.-t nl'jcct for liis prey, especially as the natives always lie with the fire at their feet; but, 



notwithstanding this, the constant practice of this animal has been to pass by the calves in the area, 



and even by the fire', and to take the children from under the mother's kaross; and this in such a 



gentle and cautious manner, that the 

 poor parent has been xinconscious of 

 her loss until the cries of her little 

 innocent have reached her from with- 

 out, when it has been a close prisoner 

 in the jaws of the monster." Mr. 

 Shepstone then mentions two instances 

 one of a boy about ten years of age, 

 N^yjFjj and the other of a girl about eight, who 

 C^'f- -iv0M '""' ' ieen carried off by this species, and 

 ~" wretchedly mangled, but recovered by 

 himself and his friends. 



The size of the hyaena is that of a 

 large mastiff; but the head and neck 

 are of great thickness, and possess tre- 

 mendous strength. In combat, he fears 

 no animal, and will even resist the lion. 

 His coat consists of long, harsh hairs, 

 which form a mane running down the 

 back from the shoulders ; the colour is 

 a dirty gray, clouded with transvor.se 

 stripes of a darker tint. The hysena 

 stands higher before than at his hind 

 quarters : his hind legs, indeed, seem bowed and proportionally weak ; hence his walk is a shuffling, 

 awkward pace, and yet he can run with great celerity. Like the dog, he is impatient of confine- 

 ment : this and ill usage combine to break his temper, and render him distnistful and savage. 



Startling as it may seem, no wild animal is more easily trained, or exhibits more affection. 

 Cuvier observes that in a domestic state, " it would doubtless render to man services of the same kind 

 and degree as the canine species." Barrow states that in the districts of Sneuberg, the hysena was 

 actually domesticated, was considered one of the best hunters after game, and was as faithful and 

 diligent as any of the common sort of domestic dogs. And to these facts it may be added that Bishop 

 llrl>rr saw in India a hysena, the property of Mr. Traill, which followed him about like a dog, and 

 fawned on those with whom it was acquainted. 



TEETH OF SPOTTED HYyKNA. 



THE VILLOSE HYAENA.* 



THE Dutch colonists of the Cape call this animal the straand-wolf. It is a native of South Africa, 

 but is by no moans so common as the spotted species, and is found chiefly along the sea-coast, but has 

 l"-cii observed in the neighbourhood of the Nieuveld Mountains, a considerable distance fn the interior 

 f tin: country. It devours carrion, and such dead animal substances (whales, for instance,) as the sea 

 casts up ; but, when pressed by hunger, its habits seem to resemble those of the other species, for it then 

 ri.iiiniits srri.nis depredations on the flocks and herds of the colonists, who hold its incursions in great 

 dread. 



Mr. Bteedman, who states this, says that he saw a veiy fine specimen which had been shot by a 

 t:innrr residing in the vicinity of Blamoberg, and was informed that it had destroyed three of his large 

 He adds tliiit it is said to be a remarkably cunning animal, retiring to a considerable distance 



calves. 



* Hyaena villosa. Smith.' 



