CARNIVOROUS QUADRUPEDS. 55 
houses, and thus often 
save them from pesti- 
lential diseases. 
86. The Hyznas, of 
which one species is 
represented in Figure 
\\ 37, are found in Asia 
and Africa. They are 
generally classified in 
the dog family, though 
there is some ques- 
tion as to the place in 
which they belong.— 
They are exceeding- 
ly ferocious, and live 
chiefly upon animals 
which they find dead. 
They will even devour 
the human body, and 
are seen in large num- 
bers in the neighbor- 
hood of armies, ready 
to eat the bodies of 
the slain. They are 
among beasts what 
the vultures are among birds, and, like the jackals, are 
very useful as scavengers. The rear parts of the Hyena 
are small, and hence its shambling gait; but there is 
great strength in the fore part of its body and in its jaws. 
It can readily crush with its teeth the thigh bone of 
an Ox. 
87. The Weasel family (mustelide) includes the Wea- 
sels, Martens, Skunks, Otters, etc. These animals are, for 
the most part, quite small, but they are very sanguinary 
in their habits. They generally strike the neck of their 
victims just behind the ear, piercing the large blood-ves- 
sels, or drive their teeth into the skull. When they have 
