HYAENAS. 205 



properties of its existence; and that everything in its organi- 

 zation was regulated by an undeviating harmony. The dog 

 and the hyaena, therefore., being essentially different in the 

 number and form of their teeth, constitute different genera, 

 without regard to their external appearance. But naturalists 

 are not entirely regardless of outward shape or colour, or even 

 of the more subtle variations of habit, in determining the 

 relations between one group and another ; and thus differences 

 as to classification sometimes arise, which are, after all, only 

 settled by a balance of similarities." * 



The differential characters and the general habits of the 

 hyaenas are thus ably and correctly sketched by Mr. E. T. 

 Bennett : " Like both the cats and the dogs," he observes, 

 " the hyaenas are completely digitigrade, walking only on the 

 extremities of their toes ; but these toes are only four in number 

 on each foot, are armed with short, thick, strong, and truncated 

 claws, which are quite un -retractile, and are evidently formed 

 for digging. Their body, which in shape much resembles that of 

 the wolf, to which they also approach very nearly in size, is much 

 more elevated in front than behind, owing partly to their con- 

 stant custom of keeping the posterior legs bent in a crouching 

 and half-recumbent posture. Beneath the tail, which is short 

 and dependent, they are furnished with a pouch, wherein is 

 secreted a peculiar matter, of a very strong and disagreeable 

 smell. Their head is large and broad, flattened in front, and 

 terminating in a short, thick, and obtuse muzzle. Like most 

 carnivorous animals, they are armed in each jaw with six 

 cutting teeth, and two canine, the latter of considerable size 

 and strength. The outermost pair of incisors in the upper 

 jaw are much larger and stronger than the rest, and closely 

 resemble the canine in form. The number of the molar or 

 cheek teeth, is five on each side in the upper jaw, and four in 

 the lower j and all of them are remarkable for their extreme 

 thickness and strength, in comparison with those of dogs and 

 cats. Their tongue is similar to that of the latter animals in 

 * The Menageries, vol. i. (1829), p. 121. 



