218 Lloyd's natural history. 



the last upper molar tooth is relatively larger and more tri- 

 angular than is generally the case in that genus, and the lower 

 carnassial has a larger heel. 



The genus is essentially an African one, although the type 

 species ranges into Southern Europe and Palestine. 



I. THE COMMON GENET. GENETTA VULGARIS. 



Viverra getietta, Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, vol. i. p. 65 (1766). 

 Genetta afra,F. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. Mamm. pt. lii. (1825). 

 Genetta vulgaris, Lesson, Man. Mamm. p. 173 (1827). 

 Genetta bcmaparti, Loche, Rev. Mag. Zool. ser. 2, vol. ix. p. 



335 (1857). 



Characters. — General colour blackish-grey, marked with black 

 spots and streaks and a black dorsal stripe ; tail relatively long, 

 with the white and black rings of nearly equal length, and the 

 tip whitish ; fore-limbs greyish, with black spots ; hind-legs 

 black posteriorly in the neighbourhood of the ankle-joint. 

 Length of head and body, about 19^ inches ; of tail, 15^ 

 inches. 



Distribution. — Southern Europe, namely, France, Spain, and 

 Turkey; North Africa; and Palestine. This is one of the very 

 few species of the Family common to Europe and Africa. 



Habits. — In general habits the Common Genet (and the 

 other species probably also) appears to be very similar to the 

 Civets, living on the ground, and being found both in wooded 

 and open country, and likewise on bush-covered mountains. 

 Although rare in the south of France, it is stated to be com- 

 moner in Spain, but even there is seldom seen. Small Rodents, 

 birds, and their eggs form its chief nutriment ; and in pursuit 

 of its prey the Genet is remarkable for the almost Snake-like 

 manner in which it steals among the herbage, with its body 

 elongated and depressed to the greatest possible degree. Its 

 breeding-habits in the wild state are unknown, but in captivity 

 only a single young one is produced at a birth. Genets are 



