STRAAND WOLF. 111 
The Straanp Wotr. (Hyena villosa, Smith.) 
This new species of hyzena, only known to natu- 
ralists from the description of Dr. Smith, published 
some few years ago in the Transactions of the Lin- 
nean Society, and of which the individual in the 
Author’s collection is the only specimen ever brought 
to this country, is found along the sea-coast through- 
out the whole extent of Southern Africa, but is 
by no means so common as the spotted hyena, 
and therefore less perfectly known to the gene- 
rality of the Colonists; indeed few of the inhabit- 
ants residing in: the interior know of its being a 
distinct species, if at all acquainted with its exist- 
ence, although it is well known by those residing 
along the southern shores, where it feeds upon 
carrion, and such things as are occasionally cast up 
by the ocean, as dead whales, &c.; but when food 
becomes scarce, it commits serious depredations upon 
the flocks and herds of the colonists, by whom its 
incursions are much dreaded. - I saw a very fine 
specimen that had been shot by a farmer, of the 
name of Van Reenen, residing in the vicinity of 
Blauwberg, and was informed that it had de- 
stroyed three large calves belonging to the farmer. 
It is said to be a remarkably cunning animal, re- 
tiring to a considerable distance from the scene of 
its depredations in order to elude pursuit, and con- 
ceals itself during the day-time in the mountains, or 
in the thick bush, which extends in large patches 
