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Show 198 PROF. ST.-GEORGE MIVART ON THE ALUROIDEA. [Feb. 7, (30) The proportional length of the limbs to the body is shorter than even in F. eyra. (31) The muzzle is large in proportion to the cranium. (32) The dentition may or may not be markedly sectorial. (33) The tail is almost always long, but may be short (Cynogale); but it is never so rudimentary as in the Lynxes. (34) Clitoris never traversed by urogenital canal. (35) Dorsal vertebrae never more than fourteen. (36) Postorbital processes generally developed, rarely enclosing orbit posteriorly. (37) Paroccipital processes depending or not. (38) Mastoid prominent or not. (39) There may be a conspicuous carotid foramen (deeply notching the sphenoid) in the basis cranii, for the entrance of the carotid into the cranial cavity. (40) Nose and upper lip generally medianly grooved, but not always so. (41) Palate not much, moderately, or much prolonged behind molars. (42) Pterygoid fossa present or absent. (43) Size of species generally moderate or small, sometimes very small-the smallest of the iEluroidea. The Hyaenas form three well-marked species, whereof one (crocuta) is so much more distinct from its geographical ally (H. brunnea) than is the latter from the third form, H. striata, that I think it should rank as a distinct genus. H. striata is found in India, Persia, Asia Minor, and North Africa. The other two Hyaenas are South-African only. The anatomy of the genus (besides the notices in Cuvier and Meckel) has been given in part by Hunter ('Essays and Observations,' vol. ii. p. 57), by Cuvier and Daubenton (Hist. Nat. ix. p. 268, pis. 25-30), by Dr. Murie (Trans. Zool. Soc. vol. vii. p. 503, pl. 63), and by Dr. Watson (P. Z. S. 1877, p. 369, pis. 40 & 41; P. Z. S. 1878, p. 416, pis. 24 & 25; and P. Z. S. 1879, p. 79, pis. 5 & 6). In Hyana the muzzle is medianly grooved beneath. The hair is harsh and long, and forms a sort of mane along the middle of the back. There are but five digits either in front or behind. The legs are rather long, behind as well as in front. The tarsus and metatarsus are both hairy. Each foot has a single palmar or plantar naked pad, and one such pad to each toe. The claws are blunt and non-retractile, rather long, but not as we find them in the Herpestina. The body is either greyish or brownish, with blackish bands extending vertically on each side of the body and horizontally on the limbs, or is more or less uniformly brownish. The ears are erect and very long and pointed, such as exist in none of the Felida or Viverrida. There is an anal pouch, with two (H. striata) or threel (H. brunnea) pairs of anal glands on each side of the rectum ; and in one, if not 1 Dr. Murie, I. c. p. 506. |