5.3.8! MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



of Africa and southern Europe, being not uncommonly do- 

 mesticated and kept like a cat. Another nearly-allied species 

 is the Ichneumon (Herpestes\ which is kept as a domestic ani- 

 mal in Egypt, and lives upon Snakes, Lizards, the eggs of the 

 Crocodile, and small Mammals. 



Forming a transition between the Viverrida and the Felidce 

 is the family of the Hycenida, distinguished by the fact that, 

 alone k of all the Carnivora, both pairs of feet have only four 

 toes each. The hind-legs are shorter than the fore-legs, so that 

 the trunk sinks towards the hind-quarters, and the tail is short. 

 The tongue is rough and prickly. The head is extremely 

 broad, the muzzle rounded, and the muscles of the jaw 

 extremely powerful and well developed. The claws are rion- 

 retractile. All the molars are trenchant except the last upper 

 molar, which is tuberculate. 



There are two well-known species of Hyaena, and the whole 

 group is exclusively confined to the Old World. The best 

 known species is the Striped Hyaena (ffycena striata), which is 

 found in North Africa, Asia Minor, Arabia, and Persia. It is 

 an ill-conditioned ferocious beast, but will not attack man 

 unless provoked. The Spotted Hyaena (H. crocuta) occurs 

 solely in Africa, being especially abundant in Cape Colony. 

 If the so-called Aardwolf (Proteles) is to be placed amongst the 

 Hyaenas, as is generally done, then the characters to be drawn 

 from the feet are not invariable; since this singular animal has 

 the fore-feet furnished with five toes, whilst the hind-feet are 

 tetradactylous (as is the case in the Dogs). 



An extinct Hyaena, considerably larger than either of the 

 living forms, formerly existed in Britain and in various, parts 

 of Europe. It is known as the Cave Hyaena (H. spelcsa), its 

 remains having been principally found in caves. 



The next family is that of the Canida, comprising the Dogs, 

 Wolves, Foxes, and Jackals. The members of this family are 

 characterised by having pointed muzzles, smooth tongues, and 

 non-retractile claws. The fore-feet have five toes each, 



6 6 



the hind-feet have only four. The molar teeth are 



77 



77 



sometimes ~TV an d of these, two or three on each side are 



tuberculate. 



The true Dogs (i.e., the Dog and Wolf) have round pupils, 

 and a tail which is of moderate length and rarely very hairy. 

 The Foxes ( Vulpes) have very long bushy tails, and the pupil 

 contracts to a mere line. 



The Dog (Cants familiaris] is only known to us at the present 



