64 MB. G, BUSK 0]S" THE EXISTING SPECIES OF HY^NA. 



dividual, of smaller size. This circumstance naturally led to the 

 surmise that both the cranium and jaw might both hare been sub- 

 stituted for those reallj appertaining to the hide ; but on exami- 

 nation it was clear enough that the latter fitted too exactly to the 

 upper jaw and cranium to admit of any doubt of their belonging 

 to each other. The introduction of a smaller lower jaw of the 

 same species is a curious circumstance, but of no immediate im- 

 portance. 



Comparison of the dentition of these two jaws with the cast of 

 that of S. hrunnea proved at once that they were identical, and it 

 was thus shown that the national collection was really in posses- 

 sion of a skull of H. Irunnea. I am happy to say also that Dr. 

 Grray, with his accustomed zeal in the cause of science, has pro- 

 cured from Paris an excellent specimen of the entire cranium of 

 that species, which he has kindly allowed to be exhibited on the 

 present occasion*. 



(3.) After this little historical episode, which will serve at any 

 rate to point out the necessity of the utmost caution in doubtful 

 cases, and of the danger of taking anything for granted, I shall 

 proceed to indicate as briefly as I can the chief distinguishing cha- 

 racteristics between S. Irunnea and S. striata, the only existing 

 species with which it can possibly be confounded. But that it can 

 be so confounded, and that by the very ablest observers, will be 

 apparent when it is stated that M, de Blainville, who has given 

 such an excellent figure of the head and teeth of H. Irunnea in his 

 ' Osteography,' observes that it is impossible to distinguish one 

 from the other by the cranial characters, and consequently is dis- 

 posed to consider H. Irunnea only a variety of S. striata. And, 

 again. Dr. Ealconer, in noticing the actual specimen in the Museum: 

 of the Jardin des Plantes from which De Blainville' s figure was 

 taken, says with respect to it " that the famous Hyaena fusca of 

 Caifraria, brought in 1839 by M. Forestier, and figured by De 

 Blainville, is a true MuTiyaena, the skuU differing in no respect from 

 the skulls of H. striata, except in being somewhat larger;" but 

 the " teeth," he says, " differ in this important respect, that the 

 last molar in the lower jaw has not the posterior cusp with an 

 additional cusp developed inside. There is only an adpressed 

 rudiment barely distinguishable. The talon also, though of the 

 same form, is less developed on its crown surface. This tooth on 



* I am also able to add that, since this paper was read, the Royal College of 

 Surgeons has procm*ed two excellent crania of -ET. Irunnea, the additional mate- 

 rials afforded by which I have incorporated in the text and in the Tables. 



