CARNARIA. 109 



being more or less tuberculous. The tongue is bristled with sharp 

 and rough papillae. 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 frequently an odorous matter oozes from peculiar 

 glands. They are divided into four subgenera. 



VivERRA, Cuv. 



In the true Civets the deep pouch situated between the anus and 

 the organ of generation, and divided into two sacs, is filled with 

 an abundant pommade of a strong musky odour, secreted by glands 

 which surround the pouch. This substance is an article of com- 

 merce, and is used by the perfumers. It was more employed when 

 musk and ambergrease were unknown. The pupil of the eye re- 

 mains round during the day, and their claws are only semi-retrac- 

 tile. 



F. aue^^fl, L. ; BufF. IX, xxxiv. (The Civet.) Ash-coloured, 

 irregularly barred and spotted with black ; the tail less than the 

 body, black towards the end, with four or five rings near its 

 base ; two black bands encircling the throat, and one surround- 

 ing the face ; a mane along the whole length of the spine and 

 tail that bristles up at the will of the animal. From the ho{- 

 test parts of Africa. 



V. zibetha^ L. j Buff. IX, xxxi. (The Zibet.) Ash-coloured, 

 spotted with black ', black half-rings on the whole tail ; black 

 bands on the sides of the neck j no mane. From the East In- 

 dies. 



Genetta, Cuv. 



In the Genets the pouch is reduced to a slight depression formed 

 by the projection of the glands, and has scarcely any visible excre- 

 tion, although an odour is diffused from it that is very perceptible. 

 In the light the pupil forms a vertical fissure, and the nails are com- 

 pletely retractile, as in the Cat. 



V. genetta, L. (The Common Genet.) Grey, spotted with 

 brown or black, the muzzle blackish ; white spots on the eye- 

 brows, cheeks and each side of the end of the nose ; tail the 

 length of the body, annulated with black and white, the black 

 rings being from nine to eleven in number. Found from the 

 south of France to the Cape of Good Hope, differing in the size 

 and number of the spots in the bands along the shoulder and 

 neck, as well as in the lines on the nape of the neck, &c.(l) It 



(1) The best figure of a Genet is that given by Pennant, Synops. No. 172, 

 Hist. No. 280, under the improper name of Fossanc It is the variety most fre 



