52 THE STRIPED HYANA, 
made another attempt. He now found out that no harm was intended, and 
in a very short time I had his paw on my knee, and was allowed to push out 
the claws as I liked, proving that they were as retractile as those of a cat. 
The oddest part of the proceeding was, that he appropriated me to himself, 
and would not allow his mate to come near me, exemplifying the jealousy of 
all animals when brought into contact with man. 
The spots which so profusely stud the body and limbs are nearly round in 
their form and black in their tint. Excepting upon the face there seem to 
be no stripes like those of the tiger, but upon each side of the face there is a 
bold black streak which runs from the eye to the corner of the mouth. The 
hair about the throat, chest, and flanks is rather long, and gives a very 
determinate look to the animal. 
The Chetah is known as an inhabitant of many parts of Asia, including 
India, Sumatra, and Persia, while in Africa it is found in Senegal and at the 
Cape of Good Hope. 
HYANAS. 
The group of animals which are so well known by the title of HY NAS, are, 
although most repulsive to the view, and most disgusting in their habits, the 
very saviours of life and health in the countries where they live, and where 
there is necessity for their existence. In this land, and at the present day, 
there is no need of such large animals as the Hyzenas to perform their 
necessary and useful task of clearing the earth from the decaying carcases 
which cumber its surface and poison its air, for in our utilitarian age even the 
very hairs from a cow’s hide are turned to account, and the driest bones are 
made to subserve, many uses. 
In those countries, as well as in our own, there are carnivorous and flesh- 
burying insects, which consume the smaller animal substances; but the 
rough work is left to those industrious scavengers the Hyzenas, which con- 
tent themselves with the remains of large animals. 
In the semi-civilized countries of Africa and Asia, the Hyzna is a public 
benefactor, swallowing with his accommodating appetite almost every species 
of animal substance that can be found, and even crushing to splinters 
between his iron jaws the bones which would resist the attacks of all other 
carnivorous animals. 
Useful as is the Hyzena when it remains within its proper boundaries, and 
restricts itself to its proper food, it becomes a terrible pest when too numerous 
to find sufficient nourishment in dead carrion. Incited by hunger, it hangs 
on the skirts of villages and encampments, and loses few opportunities of 
making a meal at the expense of the inhabitants. It does not openly oppose 
even a domestic ox, but endeavours to startle its intended prey, and cause it 
to take to flight before it will venture upon an attack. In order to alarm the 
cattle it has a curious habit of creeping as closely as possible to them, and 
then springing up suddenly just under their eyes. Should the startled 
animals turn to flee, the Hyzna will attack and destroy them ; but, if they 
should turn to bay, will stand still and venture no farther. It will not even 
attack a knee-haltered horse. So it often happens that the Hyzena destroys 
the healthy cattle which can run away, and is afraid to touch the sickly and 
maimed beasts which cannot flee, and are forced to stand at bay. 
The STRIPED HyYNA is easily to be distinguished from its relations by 
the peculiar streaks from which it derives its name. The general colour of 
the fur is a greyish brown, diversified with blackish stripes, which run along 
the ribs and upon the limbs. A large singular black patch extends over the 
front of the throat, and single black hairs are profusely scattered among the 
“gs 
