ix 



WA-KIKUYU 



115 



sepulclires — the liyfeiias. These animals l)elono- to the 

 same group of Caniivora as the cats and civets, l)ut differ 

 fiom these l)y theiv uiigaiidy shape and ugliness. The 

 spotted hytttna {^Ily<en(t cronifc() is tlie species seen in 

 East Afiica. 



This l)east, when fulhgrown, is nearly three feet in 

 height and nearly six feet from the nose to the tip of 



^^rajf?* 



The spotted hyiuna, the livint; sepulchre of the dead 

 Masai and Wa-Kikiij'u. 



the taih The hypena has four toes on each foot, and as 

 the claws are non-retractile its footprints are easily 

 recognised by the marks of the nails, and by being 

 larger than those of the hunting-dog. Its front legs 

 are longer than the hind pair. It is difficult to tell the 

 sex of a hypena on superficial examination. The voice 

 of the hysena is extraordinary, on account of the variety 



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