VIVERRA CIVETTINA. 121 



Bdgdos and Pudo-gaula, in some parts. — Bhrdn in the Nepal Terai, 

 and Nit hiralu in Nepal.— /wm^, Bhot. — Saphiong, LepcL The Zibet 

 of Shaw, 



The Large Civet-cat. 



Descr. — INIore or less yellow-gray, or hoary gray, with black spots and 

 stripes ; throat white, with a broad transverse band ; another on the 

 side of the neck on each side, showing four alternating black and white 

 bands ; beneath hoary white ; tail with six black rings ; limbs nearly 

 black or sooty brown. In some the body is nearly immaculate ; in 

 others, marked with numerous dark wavy bands ; mane distinct. 



Length, head and body, 33 to 36 inches ; tail 13 to 20 (with the hair). 



This large civet-cat iuhabits Bengal, extending northwards into Nepal 

 and Sikim, and into Cuttack, Orissa, and Central India on the south ; but 

 replaced on the Malabar coast by the next species. It also extends into 

 Assam, Burmah, Southern China, and parts of Malayana. It is perhaps 

 the large variety of V. Basse, indicated by Sykes as found in the country 

 east of the Ghats ; 28 inches long, with a more ferruginous tint, and 

 the black lines on the neck more marked. It is said to frequent brush- 

 wood and grass ; also the dense thorny scrub that usually covers the 

 bunds of tanks. It is very carnivorous, and destructive to poultry, game, 

 &c., but will also, it is said, eat fish, crabs, and insects. It breeds in 

 May and June, and has usually four or five young. Hounds, and indeed 

 all dogs, are greatly excited by the scent of this civet, and will leave 

 any other scent for it. It will take readily to water if hard pressed. 



The drug called civet is produced from the subcaudal gland of this 

 animal, which is 2 J- inches in diameter. In some parts the drug is 

 collected pei'iodically from animals kept for this purpose. 



120, Viverra Civettina. 



Blyth, Cat. 40. — V. Zlhetha, apud "Waterhouse, Cat. Mus. Zool. Soc. 



The Malabar Civet-cat. 



Descr. — " Like the African Y. Civetta, but the mane commences be- 

 tween the shoulders instead of from between the ears." Dusky gray, 

 with large transverse dark marks on back and sides ; two obliquely 

 transverse dark lines on the neck, which, with the throat, is white ; a 



