62 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
The H Y iE N A. 
'' 1 HE hysena is nearly as large as a wolf, 
which it refembles in the head and body. 
It is more favage and untamable than any 
other quadi'iiped, and is continually in a Hate 
of rage and rapacity ; unlefs when feeding, 
it is always growling. Its gliftening eyes, 
ere£t briftles on the back, and teeth al- 
ways appearing, render its afpedt truly terri- 
fic. Its horrible howl, refembles a human 
voice in diftrels. 
The hysna, from its fiz.e, is the moll ter- 
rible and ferocious of all other quadrupeds. 
It defends itfelf againfl the lion, is a match 
for the panther, and frequently overcomes 
tlie ounce. This obfcure and folitary animal 
chiefly inhabits Afiatic Turkey, Syria, Per- 
fia, and Barbary. Caverns of mountains, 
cliffs of rocks, and fubtcrraneous dens, are 
its chief lurking places. The manfions of 
the dead are fubjeft to his violations ; for, 
like the jackall, the putrid contents are, to 
him, the moft dainty food. It preys upon 
■flocks and herds ; but when thefe and other 
animal prey fails, it will eat the roots ot 
plants, and tender roots of palm-trees. 
'i'lie fupcrftitious Arabs, when they' kill a 
hyama, alway's bury its head, left it fliould he 
applied to magical puriiofes, as the neck vas 
formerly by the 'I'bcfi’alian forcerefs : but the 
unenlightened 
