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 
