59 



i Great and Small Game of Africa 



one alone having a small molar behind it, or rather on its inner side, as in 

 that family. All the three living species of hysna, which may be classified 

 as follows, are found in the African continent, to which two of these are 

 restricted. 



A. The lower carnassial tooth like that of the cats. 

 i. Spotted Hyasna (H. crocuta). 



B. The lower carnassial, with an additional posterior heel. 



2. Brown Hyaena (//. brunnea). 



3. Striped Hyaena (ff. striata). 



Spotted Hv^ka {Hyana crocuta) 



Wolf or Ttjger Wolf of the Boers ; Impisi of the Zulus, Swazis, and 

 Matonga ; Phiri of the Bechuanas ; Kwiri of the Basuto ; Fist 

 of the Manganja and other Lower Zambesi Tribes; Kuzupa 

 of the Alomwe and Makua Tribes of Portuguese East Africa. 



The spotted hyaena is a massive and powerful animal, the largest of 

 the three living species. Its colour is ochreous yellow, darker in some 

 individuals than others, with dark brown body-spots, widely separated, 

 which are smaller and closer together on the upper limbs ; the lower limbs 

 are dark brown and the muzzle nearly black. Ears rather large and 

 rounded ; very thinly haired ; tail short ; four toes on each foot, which are 

 armed with powerful non- retractile nails. The spoor may be instantly 

 recognised by the impression of the nails — it is much larger than that 

 of the hunting-dog. An average full-grown male measures 5 feet 9 or 

 10 inches over nil, with a standing height of 2 feet 9 inches; but I have 

 seen much larger beasts. The following are the dimensions of the largest 

 I have recorded, shot in May 1896 in the Matamiri bush. 



