HYRAXES. 



67 



Suborder HYRACOIDEA. 



The Hyraxes of Syria and Africa form a subordinal group of Mammal 

 Ungulates of which the existing representatives have no right to Gallery^ 

 be reckoned as " Great Game " animals, although in past times 

 they were represented in Africa (which apparently formed the 

 original home of the group) by species as large as Tapirs. The 

 molar teeth, and likewise the feet, present certain resemblances to 

 those of Rhinoceroses. 



On the Continent they are commonly known as Damans, but in 

 South Africa they are called Klip-Das (Rock-Badger), — a title 

 corrupted by the English colonists into " Dassie." 



Fig. 49. 



The Syrian Hyrax (Procavia syriaca. 



All the species may be included in the family Procaviidce, and 

 the genus Procavia (formerly called Hyrax). In general appearance 

 they are very similar to Rodents, but their feet are of an 

 Ungulate type ; the fore-feet being four-toed, and the hind pair 

 three-toed. With the exception of the inner one on the hind-foot^ 

 which has a long, curved claw, the toes are furnished with broad, 

 short, hoof-like nails. The upper jaw has a single pair of long, 

 triangular incisors which grow throughout life ; and in the lower 

 jaw there are two pairs of such teeth, which are rooted. There are 

 no canines, and the cheek-teeth are of the general type of those of 

 the Rhinoceroses. A few of the numerous species climb trees, but 

 the majority are terrestrial and social animals, generally living in 



