THE HYENAS. • 103 



ravenous appetite upon the bodies of the dead. This habit 

 makes these animals objects of aversion, and, as can be easily- 

 understood, has given rise to many superstitions regarding 

 them. 



The hyaena in one respect resembles the civet. It is furnished 

 with a pouch. in which it secretes a peculiar matter that emits a 

 rather unpleasant odour, strong enough to make it a disagree- 

 able companion, and even render the neighbourhood of its den 

 an unpleasant place in which to tarry awhile. 



The body of the hy^na is similar to that of the wolf, both in 

 size and shape. The head is large and broad, and terminates in a 

 short thick muzzle. It has large ears and the somewhat protruding 

 eyes have a repulsive scowling expression. The tongue is rough 

 and prickly, resembling that of the larger members of the cat 

 family. The jaws are endowed with enormous power. The teeth 

 are identical in number with the other members of the carnivorous 

 order. Their dental formula is — 



Incisors I; canines i^:nolars 1^^=34. 

 6 ' 1 — 1 4 — 4 



The two canines in each jaw are extremely well developed, and 

 are exceptionally strong. In fact the whole construction of the 

 head, dental organization, the great power of the jaws, and the 

 powerful muscle that gives strength to the neck, all combined 

 confer upon this animal the most remarkable ability to 

 break or crunch any article it may get between its teeth that 

 admits of such treatment. The very hardest bones are snapped 

 with ease, and the grip that an hyaena can take is so tenacious it is 

 next to impossible to drag anything away from the creature When 

 once it has been firmly seized. 



Any one wishing to see an exhibition of their capacity in this 

 way has only to watch the animal in any zoological collection 

 when it is being fed ; or at any other hour to request the keeper 

 to place a large bone across the bars of the den, and, if seen for 

 the first time, the ease with which it will be snapped asunder and 

 drawn within will create surprise. 



Dr. Buckland writes :' " I have had an opportunity of seeing 



1 "Keliquise DeluvianEe," by the Kev. William Buckland, B.D., F.E.S., F.L.S., 



1824. 



