104 
CARNIVORA. 
that the common name, by which it is known in its 
native country, is very similar to that by which the 
jackail, the wolf, the bear, and a species of monkey, 
are each respectively called ; and Buffon states, that 
travellers and naturalists have confounded it with 
the jackail, glutton, civet, and common baboon. 
The hyaena is said, by Bruce, to be brutish, in- 
dolent, slovenly, and impudent ; and seems to pos- 
sess much of the manners of the wolf. Its courage has 
nothing of the brave or generous in it ; and it dies 
oftener fleeing than fighting. But this enterprising 
traveller acquits the hyasna of the charge of tearing 
from their graves the putrid dead. This, indeed, 
according to the same writer, does not seem ne- 
cessary 5 as whole nations perish, where the hyaena 
is indigenous, without a single man of them being 
buried ; and he adds, “ The Arabs live in encamp- 
ments, in different parts of the country, their 
ancient patrimony or conquest. Here they plough 
and sow, dig wells, and have plenty of water: 
the ground produces large crops, and all is pro- 
sperity as long as there is peace. Insolence and 
presumption follow ease and riches. A quarrel hap- 
pens with a neighbouring clan ; and the first act of 
hostility, or decisive advantage, is the one burning 
the other’s crop, at the time when it is near being 
reaped. Inevitable famine follows : they are pro^ 
vided with no stores, no stock on hand ; their houses 
are burnt, their wells filled up, the men slain by their 
enemies, and many thousands of the helpless re- 
mainder left perfectly destitute of necessaries ; and 
