CHAP. 44. (30.)—THE HYÆNA.
It is the vulgar notion, that the hyæna possesses in itself
both sexes, being a male during one year, and a female the
next, and that it becomes pregnant without the co-operation
of the male; Aristotle, however, denies this. [Note] The neck, with
the mane, runs continuously into the back—Bone, so that the
animal cannot bend this part without turning round the whole
body. Many other wonderful things are also related of this animal; and strangest of all, that it imitates the human voice among
the stalls of the shepherds; and while there, learns the name of
some one of them, and then calls him away, and devours him.
It is said also, that it can imitate a man vomiting, and that,
in this way, it attracts the dogs, and then falls upon them.
It is the only animal that digs up graves, in order to obtain
the bodies of the dead. The female is rarely caught: its
eyes, it is said, are of a thousand various colours and changes
of shade. It is said also, that on coming in contact with its
shadow, dogs will lose their voice, and that, by certain magical influences, it can render any animal immoveable, round
which it has walked three times.
