300 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



stition are nearly allied; and when once they have 

 taken possession of the human mind, the most im- 

 probable stories are easily received and credited. 



It resides in the caverns of mountains, in the 

 clefts of rocks, or in holes and dens, which it digs 

 in the earth. Its disposition is extremely ferocious; 

 and though taken young, it never can be tamed. 

 It lives by depredations, like the Wolf, but is 

 stronger, and more daring and rapacious. It fol- 

 lows the flocks, ravages the sheepfold, and destroys 

 every thing within its reach with the most insa- 

 tiable voracity. Its eyes shine in the dark; and it 

 is asserted, with some appearance of probability, 

 that it can see nearly as well by night as by day. 

 When destitute of other provisions, it ransacks the 

 graves, and devours putrid human bodies that have 

 been long buried. 



The voice of the Hyena is very peculiar ; its be- 

 ginning seems to be somewhat like the moaning of 

 a human voice, and the ending like one making a 

 violent effort to vomit. 



It inhabits Asiatic Turkey, Syria, Persia, and 

 Barbary. The superstitious Arabs, when they kill 

 one of them, carefully bury the head, lest it should 

 be applied to magical purposes. 



The courage of the Hyena is equal to its rapacity. 

 It will defend itself with great obstinacy against 

 much larger quadrupeds: it is not afraid of the 

 Lion nor the Panther, will sometimes attack the 

 Ounce, and seldom fails to conquer. 



