. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE CIVET. S3 fur. When young, the strfpes are more apparent than in the adult age, and the little animal has something of a tigrine aspect about its face. In proportion to its size, the Hyaena possesses teeth and jaws of extraordi- nary strength, and between their tre- jnendous fangs the thigh bones of an ox fly in splinters with a savage crash that makes the spectator shudder. The muzzle is but short, and the rough thorn-studded tongue is used, like that of the feline groups, for rasp- ing every vestige of flesh from the bones of the prey. The Spotted
. The popular natural history . Zoology. THE CIVET. S3 fur. When young, the strfpes are more apparent than in the adult age, and the little animal has something of a tigrine aspect about its face. In proportion to its size, the Hyaena possesses teeth and jaws of extraordi- nary strength, and between their tre- jnendous fangs the thigh bones of an ox fly in splinters with a savage crash that makes the spectator shudder. The muzzle is but short, and the rough thorn-studded tongue is used, like that of the feline groups, for rasp- ing every vestige of flesh from the bones of the prey. The Spotted Hy^na, or Tiger Wolf, as it is generally called, is, for a Hyasna, a fierce and dangerous ani- mal, invading the sheepfolds and cattle- pens under the cover of darkness, and doing in one night more mischief than can be remedied in the course of years. The spots, or rather the blotches with which its fur is marked, are rather scanty upon the back and sides, but upon the legs are much more clearly marked, and are set closer together. The paws are nearly black. The Tiger Wolf is celebrated for the strange unearthly sounds which it utters when under the influence of strong excitement. The animal is olten called the " Laughing Hyaena" on account of the maniacal, mirthless, hy- sterical laugh which it pours forth, accompanying these horrid sounds with the most absurd gestures of body and limbs. During the time that the creature is engaged in uttering these wild fearful peals of laughter, it dances about in a state of ludicrously frantic excitement, running backwards and forwards, rising on its hind legs, and rapidly gyrating on those members, nodding its head repeatedly to the ground ; and, in fine, performing the most singular antics with wonderful STRIPED OR CRESTED HYjENA. (Hyeena striata.) CIVETS. The Civet, sometimes, but wrongly, called the Civet Cat, is a native of Northern Africa, and is found plentifully in Abyssinia, where it is eagerly sought on accou
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
