282 HYBACID^JS. 



the genera Hyrax and Dendrohyrax. In Hyrax (Nos. 7245, 7245^, 

 & 724 K) it is elongate, half as long again as broad, with a short, 

 broad process at the lower side of the condyle. In Dendrohyrax 

 (No. 1142 5) the bladebone is broad, irregular, fonr-flfths as broad 

 as long, with an elongate compressed process on the lower side of 

 the condyle ; the lower edge of the bone in Hyrax is sloping for 

 half its length, and then nearly straight ; in Dendrohyrax this edge 

 is arched from the condyle to the end, the broadest part being near 

 the middle of the lower edge (see Cuvier, Oss. Foss. t. 3. f. 1 j Blain- 

 viUe, Osteogr. t. 3). The following are the measurements, in inches 

 and lines : — 



Hyrax, Dendrohyrax, 



7246. 11426. 



Length of upper edge 2 2 .... 1 9 



„ lower edge ...... 2 1 .... 1 7 



Width at widest part 1 7 .... 1 



Skidls with the teeth in change show the mUk and permanent 

 cutting-teeth at the same time, thus having four upper cutting-teeth. 

 A skull with teeth in this state is figured by Cuvier (Oss. Eoss. ii. 

 p. 135, t. 2. f. 5). 



In most skulls there is a small hole on each side near the back 

 edge of the cutting-teeth, which Cuvier calls the trous incisifs (t. 2. 

 f. 2 n) ; see also Jaeger, Wiirzb. naturw. Jahresb. 1860, xvi. t. 2. 

 f . 20 X, who regards it as the remainder of a deciduous second cut- 

 ting-tooth. This pit is less distinct and nearer the base of the 

 cutting- teeth in the skull of Dendrohyrax. 



Professors Hemprich and Ehrenberg propose as a specific character 

 the length of the feet compared with the tibiae ; but this is diflScult 

 to observe in dried specimens or in set-up skeletons, as the length 

 of the feet must depend greatly on how the specimens are mounted. 



It is the fashion with certain naturalists (as M. Clapar^de, for 

 example) to find fault with zoologists for describing specimens in 

 museums ; but, as far as mammalia are concerned, it is much more 

 difficult to describe them from living specimens ; for then one cannot 

 observe their teeth and bones, or compare many specimens with one 

 another, and can rarely have the opportunity of comparing several 

 species at the same time, — aU much greater evils than not being 

 able to tell the sex (fee. of the specimens contained in museums. I 

 must say that I think the accusation that " museums are a great 

 incubus to science " must have arisen from the naturalist making it 

 taking a very limited view of the subject. Museums may cause 

 some evil (what does not ?) ; but the advantages of a large collection 

 far exceed any evil I have ever experienced or can ever conceive to 

 arise from them. 



The species may be thus arranged : — 



1. Hyuax. 

 a. Dorsal spot black. ... 1. Hyrax capensis. South Africa. 

 6. Dorsal spot yellow. 



* Fur harsh 2. Hyrax Burtonii. North and West Africa. 



3. Hyrax Wehoitsehii. Angola. 



