It is equally well-known that the hyenas devour the bodies so exposed.

It is known, too, that the hyena is a "terrier"-- a burrowing animal.

What is there strange or improbable in supposing that it burrows to get at the bodies, its natural food?
The wolf does so, the jackal, the coyote,--ay, even the dog! I have seen all of them at it on the battle-field.

Why not the hyena?
A third species is very distinct from either of the two described--the "spotted hyena" (_Hyena crocuta_).

This is also sometimes called the "laughing" hyena, from the peculiarity we have had occasion to speak of.
This species, in general colour, is not unlike the common kind, except that, instead of stripes, his sides are covered with spots.