DAMAN, Hyrax, a genus of quadrupeds, highly interesting as a connecting link between the rodentia and the pachydermata. On account of their small size, their thick fur, and their general appearance, they were always ranked among the former, till envier pointed out their essential agreement, in dentition and anatomical characters, with the latter, and assigned them a place next to the elephant and the rhinoceros, remarking, that "excepting the horns, they are little else than rhinoceroses in miniature." He adds that "they have quite similar molars, but the upper jaw has 2 stout incisors curved downwards, and, during youth, 2 very small canines, the lower jaw 4 incisors without any canines." The skull, also, and other bones of the head, resemble those of the pachyderms. The muzzle is short; the ears, short and round. The ribs are more numerous than even in the pachyderms-21 pair, a number exceeded in no quadrupeds except the sloths, whereas no rodent has more than 15 pair. The toes are united by the skin to the very nail, as in the elephant and rhinoceros, and are round and soft, merely protected in front by it broad nail, which does not reach the ground. The legs are short. The tail is a mere tubercle. There are several species of this genus. natives of Africa and of the s.w. of Asia. The SYRIAN D. (IL Syriacus) is now generally believed to be the shaphan of the Old Testament, the cony (q.v.)of the authorized English version.
The D. is common in Syria and Palestine, inhabiting rocky places, and sheltering itself in the holes of the rocks, but not burrowing, for which its feet are not adapted. It is a timid, harmless creature, quick and lively in its movements, completely herbivorous, easily domesticated, and, in confinement, readily eating bread, roots, fruits, and herbs. It is about 11 in. long, and 10 in. high; brownish-gray above, white beneath, the thick hair interspersed with long scattered bristles. The ASIIKOKO (IL Abyssinicus) of Abys sinia, first described by Bruce. and supposed by him to be the shaphan, is now believed to be distinct from the Syrian D., although very similar. The KLIP-DASSE (II. capensis) of South Africa differs from the shaphan in its darker color and rather larger size, and also in having only 3 toes on each foot, whereas the Syrian D. has 4 toes on the fore-feet and 3 on the hind-feet. It is very common in rocky places in South Africa, both on the hills and near the sea-shore. Its favorite .food consists of aromatic plants, and its flesh, although eatable, is highly flavored. In'the place which it frequents, a peculiar sub stance called hyraceum (q.v.) is found—an animal secretion, to which medicinal virtues are ascribed, but the nature and origin of which have not yet been thoroughly ascer tained.