46 NATURAL HISTORY. 



appearance when walking. The Hyaena is easily tamed, and 

 even domesticated, so that the tales of its untameable dis- 

 position are entirely erroneous. 



The striped Hysena is found in many parts of Asia and 

 Africa, where it is both a benefit and a pest, for when dead 

 animals fail it, the flocks and herds are ravaged, and even 

 man does not always escape. 



Sub-family c. Viverrina. (Lat. vivcrra, a Ferret.) 



VIVERRA. 



Civetta (Arabic Zibctta, scent), the Civet Cat. 



The VIVERRINA, or CIVETS, are active little animals, averag- 

 ing about two feet in length. The whole group is celebrated 

 for the perfume which is secreted in a glandular pouch near 

 the tail, and is of some importance in commerce. If the Civet 

 is kept alive, the perfume is obtained by enclosing it in a long 

 narrow box so that it cannot turn round, and then scraping 

 the secretion from the pouch with a spoon. If the creature is 

 killed, the entire pouch is usually cut off, and sells for a higher 

 sum than when the perfume is sold separately. 



The Civet is only found in North Africa, especially in 

 Abyss aiia, where it takes up its abode on uncultivated and 

 barren hills. It feeds upon birds and the smaller quadrupeds, 

 which it takes by surprise. As it pursues its prey by night 

 only, its eyes are formed for seeing in the dark, and gleam as 

 do those of a cat. 



