_), of
southern and eastern Africa, some authorities making it the
representative of a family by itself, others referring it to the
_Hyaenidae_, while others again regard it as a modified member of the
_Viverridae_. After all, the distinction either way cannot be very
great, since the two families just named are intimately connected by
marks of the extinct _Ictitherium_, With the _Viverridae_ it agrees in
having the auditory bulla divided, while in the number of dorsal
vertebrae it is hyena-like. The cheek-teeth are small, far apart, and
almost rudimentary in character (see fig. 4), and the canines long and
rather slender. The dental formula is i. 3/3, c. 1/1, p. m. 4/(3 or 4);
total 30 or 32. Vertebrae: C. 7, D. 15, L. 5, S. 2, Ca. 24. The
fore-feet with five toes; the first, though short, with a distinct
claw. The hind-feet with four subequal toes; all, like those of the
fore-foot, furnished with strong, blunt, non-retractile claws (see
AARD-WOLF).

Hyena tribe.

The hyenas or hyaenas (_Hyaenidae_) differ from the preceding family
(_Viverridae_) in the absence of a distinct vertical partition between
the two halves of the auditory bulla; and are further characterized by
the absence of an alisphenoid canal, the reduction of the molars to
1/1, and the presence of 15 dorsal vertebrae. The dental formula in
the existing forms (to which alone all these remarks apply) is i. 3/3,
c. 1/1. p. 4/3 m. 1/1; total 34; the teeth, especially the canines and
premolars, being very large, strong and conical. Upper sectorial with
a large, distinctly trilobed blade and a moderately developed inner
lobe placed at the anterior extremity of the blade. Molar very small,
and placed transversely close to the hinder edge of the last, as in
the _Felidae_. Lower sectorial consisting of little more than the
bilobed blade. Zygomatic arches of skull very wide and strong; and
sagittal crest high, giving attachment to very powerful biting
muscles. Orbits incomplete behind. Vertebrae: C. 7, D. 15, L. 5, S. 4,
Ca. 19. Limbs rather long, especially the anterior pair, digitigrade,
four subequal toes on each, with stout non-retractile claws, the first
toes being represented by rudimentary metacarpal and metatarsal bones.
Tail rather short. A large post-anal median glandular pouch, into
which the largely developed anal scent glands pour their secretion.

[Illustration: FIG. 4.-