HYAENA, or HYENA, a genus of digitigrade carnivorous quadrupeds, in cluded in the genus Canis by Linnmus, but now referred to the YEluroid divi sion of the Carnivora, of which, however, it is a somewhat aberrant member, form ing with Proteles a sub-family, Hym nina. Hyenas have six incisors and two canine teeth in each jaw, five molars on each side in the upper jaw, and four in the under. The body is covered with rather long coarse hair, forming a mane along the neck and back. The feet have each four toes. Beneath the anus is a deep glandular pouch, contributing much to the offensive odor by which hyenas are characterized. Hyenas eat carrion as well as newly killed prey, and are of much use as scavengers. They some times attack cattle, especially if they flee, but rarely man, though they some times seize children. During the day they hide themselves, by night they roam singly or in packs in quest of prey. They prowl about towns and villages, and often dig up corpses that have not been very deeply buried.
Hyenas are found only in Africa and the S. of Asia, not extending to the farthest E. of the latter continent. The striped hyena (H. striate) is found both in Asia and Africa, and there are sev eral varieties considerably different in size, color, etc. The smallest 113,,enas are of the size of a large dog. The spotted hyena (H. crocuta) inhabits South Af rica. It is rather smaller than the largest varieties of the striped hyena, but is more fierce and dangerous. It is called tiger-wolf by the colonists of the Cape of Good Hope. Besides its ordi nary howling, this hyena often indulges in an expression of gratification, resem bling hysterical laughter, whence it has acquired the name of laughing hyena. The general color is ochry gray, with thinly scattered small round brown spots, and sooty muzzle and feet. The woolly hyena (H. brunnea) is a smaller South African species.
(h1"5.-hi"fi), a milky plant of South America.