hyenictis

[Lat. hyœn( a ) and ict is =Gr. iktis a weasel.] Palæont.: An extinct genus of Hyenide, with affinities to the Viver ride. It is found in the Upper Miocene of Greece. hy-en-i-dæ, s. pl. [Lat. hyæn(a) (q. v.); fem. pl. adj. suff.- ide.] Zool .: A family of carnivorous mammals. Incisors 8, canines, præmolars, molars, the last molar in the upper jaw being tubercular, as in the Felide, and the tongue, as in their case, rough with prickles. They have projecting eyes and large ears. In their claws, which are not retractile, they approach the Canide (Dogs), but the toes are only four, while in both the cats and dogs they are five. The hind feet of the hyenas are much bent, making the shoulder higher than the haunch. The body is heavy, and the gait stooping. The whole organization adapts them for breaking bones. [HYENA.] They inhabit the warmer regions of the Old World, Southern Africa being their metropolis. In addition to Hyena, the genus Proteles, though it has viverrine affinities, seems to belong to this family. [AARDWOLF.] 2. Palæont .: [HYENA, 2; HYENICTIS.] thy-en-i-næ, s. pl . [Lat. hyæn(a); fem. pl. adj. sutf. -inæ .] Zool.: A sub-family of Canide, now generally raised to the rank of a family, and called Hyenide (q. v.).