THE CIVET. 



it is pressed through very small orifices into the pouch, so that if it is 

 examined before it has merged itself into an uniform mass, it is something 

 like fine vermicelli in appearance. The interior of the pouch is thickly coated 

 with fine hairs, and entirely covered with the minute orifices or pores through 

 which the perfume exudes. The creature is able to compress the pouch 

 at will. 



The Civet seems to be a very sleepy animal, especially during the daytime, and 

 to be with difficulty aroused from its somnolence. 



While it remains in the pouch, the " civet" is rather thick and unctuous, some- 

 thing like butter in texture. 



Upon the Asiatic continent, and its islands, the place of the civet is taken by 

 several of the Viverrine tribe, one of which, the Zibeth, bears a close resemblance 

 to its African relative. 



The Ziljcth is a native of many parts of Asia, being found in China, India, the 

 Philippines, Nepal, and other localities. It may be distinguished from the civet 

 by the greater amount of white which is found in the fin*, especially about the 

 neck and throat, by the shorter hair, and by tlic greater number of dark rings 

 upon the tail. The tail of the Zibeth is not so largely marked with black at its 

 extremity as that of the civet. The mane or crest which runs along the back is 

 comparatively small. The spots which mark the body are rather indistinctly 

 outlined, and the general tint of the fur seems to be paler than that of the 

 civet. 



It is furnished with a musk-secreting pouch like that of the African civet. It 

 is a lethargic animal in captivity, and even in a wild state passes the day in sleep, 

 and only seeks its food after dark. Its usual diet is composed of birds and the 

 smaller mammalia, but it will also eat various fruits, especially those of a sweet 

 nature. In size it nearly equals the civet. In captivity it is a gentle creature, 

 and is so completely tamed by the natives of the countries where it is found, that 

 it inhabits the house like a domestic cat and employs itself in similar useful 

 pursuits. 



