92 



MAMMALIA. 



is Dog- like, but certainly not a Catiis: its form and colouring (and there is reason to suspect its internal 

 conformation), are rather those of a Hyaena ; and it is known to copulate in the manner of those animals, and 

 not in the peculiar manner of the Dogs and Foxes. Even its dentition is the same as that elsewhere found, 

 (with one other exception, — Proteles,) throughout the group to which we conceive the Hyaenas to belong, the 

 dental system of which latter appears to be modified in accordance with their much increased and prodigious 

 strength of jaw.] 



The Civets (Viverra), — 



Have three false molars above and four below, the anterior of which sometimes fall out ; two tolerably 

 large tuberculous teeth above, one only below, and two tubercles projecting forwards on the inner side 

 of the lower carnivorous tooth, the rest of that tooth being tuberculous. The tongue is covered with 

 sharp and rough papilla?. Their claws are more or less raised as they walk ; and near the anus is a 

 pouch more or less deep, where an unctuous and often odorous matter is secreted by peculiar 

 glands. 



They divide into four subgenera. 



The True Civets (Viverra, Cuv.), — 



In which the pouch, large, and situate between the anus and the genitals, divide! also into two sacs, 

 is abundantly supplied with a pommade having a strong musky odour, secreted by glands which 

 surround the pouch. This substance is an article of commerce, much used in perfumery. It was 

 more employed when musk and ambergris were little known. The pupil of the eye remains round 

 during the day*, and their claws are only semi-retractile. 



[Four species are known, from Africa and India: beautiful spotted animals, larger than a domestic Cat: they 



have an erectible mane along the back (as in the 

 Hyaenas), more or less conspicuous : are of an 

 indolent disposition, and easily tamed ; feed partly 

 on fruits ; and when irritated raise the dorsal 

 mane, and hiss like Cats.] 



The Genets (Genet ta, Cuv.), — 



Have the pouch reduced to a slight depres- 

 sion formed by the projection of the glands, 

 with scarcely any discernible secretion, al- 

 though diffusing a very perceptible odour. 

 In the light, their pupil forms a vertical 

 fissure ; and their claws are completely re- 

 tractile, as in the Cats. [They are smaller and 

 more slender animals than the Civets, from 

 which they scarcely differ in style of colour- 

 ing : are also partly, but less, frugivorous, 

 and in general easily tamed. 



The species are numerous, and inhabit the same general locality as the preceding. One (Viv. genetta, Lin.) ] is 

 found from the south of France to the Cape of Good Hope. It frequents the edges of brooks, near springs, &c, 

 and its skin forms an important article of traffic. 



[The Galet (Cryptoprocta, Ben.) — 



Would appear, from its dentition, to be the most carnivorous of the Viverrine quadrupeds : its jaws 

 are much abbreviated, and there are only two false molars to each : claws wholly retractile. 



The species (C.ferox, Ben.) is little larger than a Stoat, and uniformly brown, with large ears . an inhabitant of 

 Madagascar. Eupleres (Jourdan?) would seem to be allied. 



The Delundung (Prionodon, Horsf.) — 



Is also allied to the Genets, but with the false molars three-lobed or serrated. 



Felis and subsequently Pr. gracilis, Horsf., is the only species; a rare Javanese animal, of slender form, very 

 handsomely streaked and spotted.] 



Fig 31.— The African Civet 



* Indicating that they inhabit the open country. See the Cats (Felii\ — Ed. 



