THE RASSE. 215 
Viverra pallida, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1832, p. 63. 
Viverricula indica, Hodgson, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, vol. x. 
Pp. 909 (1841). 
Viverricula malaccensis, Cantor, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, vol. 
XV. p. 199 (1846) ; Blanford, Mamm. Brit. India, p. 100 
(1888). 
Viverra schlegelt, Pollen, Nederl. Tijdschr. Dierkunde, vol. iii. 
p. 78 (1866) ; Flower, Cat. Osteol. Mus. Coll. Surg. pt. ii. 
Pp. 97 (1884). 
Characters.—Size small. Distinguished from all the preced- 
ing species by the absence of an erectile crest of elongated 
hairs down the back, and also the general want of an alisphenoid 
canal in the skull. The nails are also sharper and curved, 
and the first toe in each foot shorter and more separated from 
the others, while the muzzle is more pointed, and the whole 
build of the animal lighter. On account of these comparatively 
unimportant points of difference, the species is frequently 
referred to a distinct genus. 
General colour varying from brownish-grey to pale yellowish- 
brown, usually with several longitudinal black or dark brown 
stripes down the back, and longitudinally-arranged rows of 
spots on the sides of the body, but such markings, in some 
cases, are very indistinct, and the dorsal stripes even wanting. 
Markings on neck somewhat variable; but generally two dark 
stripes from behind the ears to the shoulders, and frequently 
a third in front, crossing the throat ; a dusky mark behind the 
ear, and another in front of the eyes; feet brown or black ; tail 
with complete black and whitish rings, numbering from seven 
to nine pairs. Length of head and body, from 21 to 23 inches; 
of tail, inclusive of the hair at the tip, from 15 to 17 inches. 
Distribution.—Socotra, Comoro Islands, Madagascar, Ceylon, 
India, Assam, Burma, Malay Peninsula, Java, Southern China, 
Hainan, and Formosa. With the possible exception of the 
