THE GENETS. 217 



marked only with some spots on the flanks, and a few indistinct 

 stripes on the shoulders. Young distinctly striped, the median 

 line of the back being of the general ground-colour bordered 

 by two rows of small irregular spots, externally to which are 

 three dark longitudinal stripes on each side; no throat-gorget; 

 tail spotted, with the spots tending to arrange themselves in 

 rings. Length of head and body, about 16 inches ; of tail, 8 

 inches. 



Distribution. — Madagascar. 



Habits. — Unknown. 



IV. THE GENETS. GENUS GENETTA. 

 Genetta, Cuvier, Regne Animal, vol. i. p. 156 (1817). 



Having the same number of teeth, and likewise five toes to 

 each foot, the Genets differ from both the preceding genera by 

 having a naked longitudinal line running up the middle of the 

 under surface of the metatarsus; this bald strip being separated 

 from the pads of the foot by an intervening hairy space. They 

 are further distinguished from Viverra by the want of a scent- 

 pouch, and from Fossa by having a dark stripe down the middle 

 of the back. All are comparatively small in size, and they 

 may have a slight crest down the back, but lack a black gorget 

 on the throat. The various species are exceedingly alike to 

 one another, and further comparisons are required before their 

 distinctive characters can be regarded as properly defined. In 

 colour, their fur is brownish, yellowish, or greyish, marked with 

 black or brown spots on the sides of the body and the above- 

 mentioned dark line down the back; dark stripes extend 

 backwards from behind the ears over the shoulders ; above 

 each eye is a light-coloured patch, and beneath the same a 

 white spot; the under-parts are light coloured, sparsely spotted 

 with a dark tint ; the tail has dark and light rings ; and the 

 feet may be either blackish or whitish. In the skull the audi- 

 tory bulla is less markedly triangular than in Viverra, while 



