CLASS MAMMALS: ORDER CARNIVORA. 37 



P^3- M- Mg. W. 



Viverra ichneumon. Ichneumon, r's- Hylna vulgaris. Hyena. ,', 



Hyenidae. — The Hyenas are peculiar to the warmer 

 regions of the Old World. The enormous strength of their 

 jaws and the size of their blunt molar teeth, enable them to 

 crush the largest bones, which they swallow without masti- 

 cation. In adult animals, the vertebrae of the neck often 

 grow together, enabling them to endure a violent strain. 

 The toes are four, with blunt, non-retractile claws. The 

 bending of the hind legs makes them seem shorter than the 

 fore legs and gives an awkward shuffle to the pace. The 

 hyena is the true scavenger among the mammals, removing 

 offal which would endanger the health of man.* 



Canidse. — The Dogs have the muzzle more elongated, and 

 hence the jaws weaker than the previous Families. The 

 teeth are blunter, and the toes, five in front and four 

 behind, are armed with non-retractile claws adapted to 

 burrowing in the ground. The dog never perspires, even in 

 the hottest weather. It drinks by lapping,f and so avoids 

 the danger of swallowing large quantities of cold water when 

 the body is overheated. The shape of the pupil affords a 

 basis for tabulating : 



( 1 Canis lupus, WcUf. 



\ Pupil round. \ Canis familiaris, Dog. 



CANID/€, ■< ( Caois aureus, Jackal. 



{. Pupil vertical. Vulpes vulgaris, Tax. 



* Its work i8 most usefal, as it consumes even the skeletons of the decaying 

 carcasses on which it feeds. In performing this mission, its occasional attacks upon 

 graveyards have, however, given it an unenviahle reputation. 



t In lapping, Felidse turn the tip of the tongue backward, and Canidse forward. 



