198 PROF. ST.-GEOR6E MIVART ON THE ^LUROIDEA. [Feb. 7, 



(30) The proportional length of the limbs to the body is shorter 



than even in jP. eyra. 



(31) The muzzle is large in proportion to the cranium. 



(32) The dentition may or may not be markedly sectorial. 



(33) The tail is almost always long, but may be short {Cynogale)-, 



but it is never so rudimentary as in the Lynxes. 



(34) Clitoris never traversed by urogenital canal. 



(35) Dorsal vertebrae never more than fourteen. 



(36) Postorbital processes generally developed, rarely enclosing 



orbit posteriorly. 



(37) Paroccipital processes depending or not. 



(38) Mastoid prominent or not. 



(39) There may be a conspicuous carotid foramen (deeply notching 



the sphenoid) in the basis cranii, for the entrance of the carotid 

 into the cranial cavity. 



(40) Nose and upper lip generally medianly grooved, but not 



always so. 



(41) Palate not much, moderately, or much prolonged behind 



molars. 



(42) Pterygoid fossa present or absent. 



(43) Size of species generally moderate or small, sometimes very 



small — the smallest of the ^luroidea. 



The Hyaenas form three well-marked species, whereof one {cro- 

 cuta) is so much more distinct from its geographical ally {H. brunnea) 

 than is the latter from the third form, H. striata, that I think 

 it should rank as a distinct genus. H. striata is found in India, 

 Persia, Asia Minor, and North Africa. The other two Hyaenas are 

 South-African only. 



The anatomy of the genus (besides the notices in Cuvier and 

 Meckel) has been given in part by Hunter ('Essays and Observations,' 

 vol. ii. p. 57), by Cuvier and Daubenton (Hist. Nat. ix. p. 268, 

 pis. 25-30), by Dr. Murie (Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. vii. p. 503, pi. 63), 

 and by Dr. Watson (P. Z. S. 1877, p. 369, pis. 40 & 41 ; P. Z. S. 

 1878, p. 416, pis. 24 & 25 ; and P. Z. S. 1879, p. 79, pis. 5 & 6). 



In Hycena the muzzle is medianly grooved beneath. The hair is 

 harsh and long, and forms a sort of mane along the middle of the back. 

 There are but five digits either in front or behind. The legs are 

 rather long, behind as well as in front. The tarsus and metatarsus 

 are both hairy. Each foot has a single palmar or plantar naked 

 pad, and one such pad to each toe. The claws are blunt and non- 

 retractile, rather long, but not as we find them in the Herpestinee. 

 The body is either greyish or brownish, with blackish bands extend- 

 ing vertically on each side of the body and horizontally on the Hmbs, 

 or is more or less uniformly brownish. The ears are erect and very 

 long and pointed, such as exist in none of the Felida or Fiverridce. 

 There is an anal pouch, with two {H. striata) or three * {H. brunnea) 

 pairs of anal glands on each side of the rectum ; and in one, if not 



• Dr. Murie, I. c. p. 506. 



