It is not without much hesitation1 that we have adopted for this animal the generic2 name of Canis, and referred it, in conformity3 with the example of most of the leading zoologists4 of the day, to the same group with the Wolf, the Jackal, and the Fox; from all of which it differs in such important particulars as fully5 entitle it, in our estimation, to the rank of a distinct and separate genus. To this rank it has, indeed, been already raised by Mr. Brookes, under the generic appellation6 of Lycaon; but as we are not aware that it has been any where described under that name, or that any detailed7 account has been given of the characters on which that separation[78] is founded, we cannot consider ourselves authorized8 in a work of this nature to make any innovations upon science, however much we may feel, as in the present instance, that they are called for by the exigency9 of the case. That its position is at least doubtful is proved by the fact that M. Temminck, one of the ablest of the continental10 zoologists, first described it from the living animal under the designation of a Hy?na, and, having subsequently changed his opinion, is now disposed to regard it as a species of dog.
For the zoological characters of the latter genus the reader is referred to the following article: at present we shall confine ourselves to the description of the remarkable11 animal before us, pointing out, as we proceed, the marks by which it differs from both the groups to which it has hitherto been referred, and those by which it is assimilated to either the one or the other. In the shape and elevation13 of its body it is at first sight distinguished14 from them both, its legs being considerably15 longer in relation to its size, and the trunk of its body, as will be seen by the portrait prefixed, being very different in form and proportions. It is entirely16 destitute17 of the mane of the Hy?na, and its tail is very similar to that of certain dogs; but, on the other hand, its head approximates very closely, or rather bears a most striking resemblance, to the broad and flattened18 forehead, and the short and truncated19 muzzle20, which characterize the former genus. It is this latter circumstance no doubt that has induced many naturalists21, both popular and scientific, to identify the Wild Dog, as he is called by the settlers at the Cape23, with a group of animals from which in every other particular of outward structure,[79] excepting one, it is remarkably24 and obviously distinct. The only other point of agreement between them consists in the number of its toes, which, like those of the Hy?na, are only four to each foot. This peculiarity26, combined with the form of the head, unquestionably affords some ground for placing these animals in close apposition; but is by no means so important, in the absence of other and more essential characteristics, as to warrant their union into a single group. Taken together, however, and in connexion with other features of distinction, these characters may fairly be regarded as sufficiently27 striking to sanction the separation of the animal now under consideration from the dogs. With the latter it corresponds most completely in the number and form of its teeth, and in the general structure of its skeleton, which differs remarkably from that of the Hy?na.
In size and form it is smaller and more slender than either the Hy?na or the Wolf. Its ground colour is of a reddish or yellowish brown, which is variously mottled in large patches along the sides of the body and on the legs, with black and white intermingled together. Its nose and muzzle are completely black, and it has a strong black line passing from them up the centre of the forehead to between the ears, which are very large, black both within and without, and furnished with a broad and expanded tuft of long whitish hairs arising from their anterior28 margin29 and filling up a considerable part of their concavity. There is a lighter30 patch on the muzzle beneath each of the eyes. The tail is of moderate length, covered with long bushy hair, and divided in the middle by a ring of black, below which or towards[80] the extremity31 it is nearly white, as are also the fore12 parts of the legs below the joint32. These colours and markings are subject to variation in different individuals; but in their general disposition33 and appearance they constantly exhibit the greatest similarity.
The Hy?na-Dog, if this compound term may be allowed, is a native of the South of Africa, and infests34 the frontier settlements at no great distance from the Cape to a very extensive and troublesome degree. Mr. Burchell, to whom we are indebted for the earliest specimen35 brought to this country, as well as for first pointing out its distinctive36 characters, informs us that it hunts in regular packs, preferring the night, but frequently pursuing its prey37 even by day. It is not only exceedingly fierce, but also remarkably swift and active, insomuch that none but the fleeter animals can escape from its pursuit. Sheep, oxen, and horses appear to be its favourite game: on the former it makes its onset38 openly and without fear, but of the latter it seems to stand in awe39, and attacks them only by stealth, frequently surprising them in their sleep, biting off the tails of the oxen, for which it has a particular fancy, and inflicting40 such serious injuries upon the horses, especially the young colts, as they rarely survive.
The individual brought home by Mr. Burchell was kept by that gentleman chained up in his stable-yard for more than a year; at the expiration41 of which its ferocity continued unabated; the man who fed it being so fearful of it that he “dared never to venture his hand upon it.” It is nevertheless highly probable that with a somewhat firmer and bolder treatment it might have been in some degree tamed, if not domesticated42; for it[81] is stated that it at length became familiar with a dog, which was its constant companion. That which is at present in the Tower was brought to England in company with the youngest of the Cape Lions. They agreed together extremely well; but as the Lion increased in size his play became too rough for his comparatively feeble companion, who was borne to the earth in a moment by the superior weight and strength of his antagonist43. Mr. Cops therefore found it necessary to consign44 them to separate dens45. Other companions for the Hy?na-Dog have, however, very recently been obtained, an interesting addition having been made to the stock of the Menagerie by the acquisition of a couple of Spotted46 Hy?nas; a brief notice of which we subjoin, as well as their portraits by way of tail-piece, they having arrived during the progress of the present sheet through the press, and consequently too late for insertion in their proper place.
In size the Spotted Hy?na, the Hy?na Crocuta of naturalists, is somewhat inferior to the striped. Its muzzle, although short, is not so abruptly47 truncated; and its ears, which are short and broad, assume a nearly quadrilateral figure. Its ground colour is yellowish brown; and the whole body is covered with numerous spots of a deeper brown, tolerably uniform in size, but sometimes not very distinctly marked, and occasionally arranging themselves in longitudinal rows. Its hair is shorter than that of the Striped Hy?na, and although longer on the neck and in the central line of the back than elsewhere, does not form so distinct and well furnished a mane as in the latter animal. The tail is blackish brown, and covered with long bushy hair.
[82]
This species appears to be peculiar25 to Southern Africa. In its wild state it is equally ferocious48 in its temper and disgusting in its habits with the common species of the North; but it has been found, as we have before mentioned, to be capable of domestication49, and of rendering50 services to man equal to those which he derives51 from the dog. The pair which have just arrived in the Tower have been placed by Mr. Cops in one den22 with the Striped Hy?na and with the Hy?na-Dog; and this juxta-position affords an excellent opportunity for a comparison of their characters and disposition. They agree together tolerably well; but the new-comers are hardly as yet reconciled to their abode52, and consequently appear shy and reserved. The Hy?na-Dog is the most lively of the group; and his playfulness appears occasionally to give no little annoyance53 to the Striped Hy?na, who generally returns his solicitations with a surly snarl54, but does not seem disposed to resent them farther.
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1
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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generic
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| adj.一般的，普通的，共有的 | |
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conformity
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| n.一致，遵从，顺从 | |
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4
zoologists
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| 动物学家( zoologist的名词复数 ) | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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6
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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7
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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8
authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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9
exigency
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| n.紧急；迫切需要 | |
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10
continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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11
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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12
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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13
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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14
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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15
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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16
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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17
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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18
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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19
truncated
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| adj.切去顶端的，缩短了的，被删节的v.截面的( truncate的过去式和过去分词 )；截头的；缩短了的；截去顶端或末端 | |
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20
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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naturalists
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| n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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23
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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24
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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25
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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anterior
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| adj.较早的；在前的 | |
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margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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30
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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31
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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32
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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33
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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34
infests
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| n.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的名词复数 )；遍布于v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的第三人称单数 )；遍布于 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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38
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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39
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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40
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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41
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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42
domesticated
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| adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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44
consign
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| vt.寄售（货品），托运，交托，委托 | |
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45
dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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46
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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47
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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48
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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49
domestication
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| n.驯养，驯化 | |
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50
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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51
derives
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| v.得到( derive的第三人称单数 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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52
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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53
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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54
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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