MR. G. BUSK ON THE EXISTING SPECIES OF HTJ^NA. 79 



the cave-Hyena, especially as regards the upper and lower car- 

 nassials, and in the 1st premolar, is quite confirmatory of the 

 opinion that they are but varieties of one and the same species. 

 But the proper comparison of the other bones of the skeleton yet 

 remains to be made before this opinion can be regarded as fully 

 established. 



A few words are requisite in order to explain why so many 

 columns are devoted in Table Y. to H. crocuta. 



Column I. shows the mean dimensions deduced from every 

 specimen of H. crocuta that has come under my observation, 

 taken together ; and it is given in order to afford, as nearly as the 

 amount of materials would allow, the mean of all the variations 

 to which that species is subject. 



In Column II. the figures show, as I have explained in the 

 latter part of the paper, what I take to be the imj)ortant changes 

 induced in this species of Hycena in consequence of its unnaturally 

 prolonged existence in a state of captivity from an early period 

 of life ; and in Column III. these amounts are contrasted with 

 those taken from the mean dimensions in all the specimens of H. 

 crocuta living in a state of nature, and embracing individuals con- 

 siderably diifering in size, though not, as will be observed, vary- 

 ing from the general mean of the species in all the more fixed 

 and important points. 



In Columns IV. and Y. are contrasted the extremes observed 

 by me in what would appear to be varieties (perhaps in some 

 cases sexual ?) of the wild Hyena. And I have done this also 

 with the view of comparing, at some future time, this diversity 

 in the existing H. crocida with the even stiU greater diversities 

 exhibited in its fossil representative. 



K.B. — The numbers are all given in y^ths of an inch, and they, 

 of course, are readily reduced to millimetres by multiplying them 

 by 25-4 and dividing by 100. Those numbers to which an .asterisk 

 is added have been taken from only a single specimen in each 

 instance. 



DESCEIPTION OF PLATE. 



Fig. 1. — Maxillary teetli of S. hrunnea. 



Fig. 2. — Mandibular teeth of H. hrunnea. 



Fig. 3.— Vertical view of cranium of -ff. hrunnea (half size). 



Fig. 4. — Occipital triangle of B". hrunnea (half size). 



Fig. 5. — Occipital triangle of H. striata (half size). 



