MAMMALIA. 707 



PI. i6, Cuv. B. Ani., id. ill., Mamm. Pi. 38, fig. i ; tlie skeleton is 

 figured in Pander u. D'Alton die Skelete der Jtduhih. Tab. iv. ; larger 

 than the preceding, light brownish-grey, with larger black spots ; the tail 

 short, long-haired, with some whitish spots, at the tip all black ; on the 

 back long hairs (mane) ; in Africa, at the coast of Guinea and in Mosam- 

 bique. Both species bear the name of civet cat, and from both is ob- 

 tained the fat substance known in perfumery and medicine under the 

 name of civet {zibetha, zibefhium, civetta) ; it is semi-fluid, smelling strongly 

 of musk. The negroes seek this substance in trees on which the civet cats 

 have voided it by rubbing. It is contained in two sacs, with an elongate, 

 common opening, which are formed by a continuation of the integument, 

 and are surrounded by many smaU glands. Besides these there are two 

 other blind sacs, each of which has a separate small aperture on each side 

 of the anus. These animals climb on trees, hunt for birds, and also feed 

 on roots and ft-uits. — Viverra Genetta L., Buff. ix. PL 36, Guer. Iconogr., 

 Mavimif. PI. 16, fig. 3, Menag. du Mus. 11. pp. 207 — 217; smaller than 

 the Viverra zihetha, which in other respects it resembles ; the tail is longer 

 (little shorter than the body), with long hair, with black and white rings ; 

 in Africa and Spain. Viverra indica Geoffr., Viverra rasse HoRSF. Zool. 

 Researches, No. 6, Guerin Mayas, de Zool. 1836, Mammif. PI. 19; in the 

 East Indies, &c. 



By the body very slim and elongated, high legs, and long whiskers, is 

 distinguished Viverra gracilis Desm., Viverra linsang Hardwicke, Fclis 

 (Prionodon) gracilis Horsf. 1, 1. No. i. 



A single species of Viverra is known from the new world (Mexico). It 

 Las longer hair, a small pointed head and large ears : Viverra astuta, 

 Bassaris astuta Lichtenst. Darstell. neuer Sdugth, Tab. 43, copied in 

 Krauss Thierreich, i. Tab. Ii. fig. 3. 



Herpesies Illig. Teeth as in the preceding genus. Ears small, 

 short, rounded. Feet pentadactylous or tetradactylous, with claws 

 compressed, incurved, large. Hair long, rigid, often ringed with 

 distinct colours. 



a) With all the feet pentadactylous. 



fferpestes Ichneumon, Viverra Ichneumon'L. , Herpestes Pharaonis Desm., 

 Buff. Suppl. in. PI. 26, Schreb. Sdugth. Tab. 115 b, Geoffr. St.-Hil. 

 Menag. du Mus. i. pp. 319 — 333; the Ichneumon, called Nems or Nims by 

 the natives of Egypt ; with the tail about 3' long, hair yellowish-grey 

 with darker rings, the tail with a tuft of black hair at the tip, legs 

 blackish. This animal eats, besides eggs, especially of the crocodile, also 

 snakes and other small animals, and is very shy. — Herpestes pallidus 

 Wagn., Viverra Ichneumon /3 L., Schreb. Sdugth. Tab. 116 g, Cuv. 

 R. Ani., ed. ill., Mamm. PI. 39, fig. i, &c. A very numerous genus. 



b) With hind feet tetradactylous. 



Sub-genus. Cynictis Ogilby. (Legs tall. Ears rather larger than 

 in Herpestes.) 



Comp. Ogilby On the characters and description of a netv genus of Car- 

 nivora, Transact, of the Zool. Soc. i. 18^8, pp. 29 — 34, PI. 3. 



45—2 



