44S CIVET TRIBE 



at top speed. The antelope looked to have about 70 yards' start, 

 and when the chitas — -for such the pursuers were— stretched themselves 

 out, was about 1 20 yards ahead ; but the former now moved like 

 lightning, running low with long easy strides, which quickl)' put them 

 on the right flank of their victim, who swerved to the opposite side, 

 but next instant the foremost chita's fangs were in its throat, and the 

 bull came headlong to the ground in a cloud of dust. I believe both 

 these chitas to have been males, for I shot one, which proved to be 

 of that sex, while the other, which I spared on account of the entertain- 

 ment it afforded me, appeared, if anything, the larger of the two. 

 There is little sport in shooting these beautiful creatures, which seldom 

 show much fight, and have but little power of defence." 



THE AFRICAN CIVET 



( Viverra civetta) 



The civet-cats and their relatives the genets, meercats, mungooses, 

 etc., constitute the family ViverridcE^ of which the majority are com- 

 paratively small animals. They are near allies of the cats, but have, 

 for the most part, longer heads and bodies, shorter limbs, and a larger 

 number of cheek-teeth, among which the carnassial teeth are usually 

 of a less scissor -like type, the lower one having a grinding surface 

 behind the blade. Scent-glands are frequently developed. With the 

 exception of the Malagasy fossa {Cryptoprocta), the civet-cats, or civets, 

 of the genus Viverra are the largest members of the family, and may 

 be recognised by their digitigrade limbs, partially retractile claws, the 

 long and loose fur, and the presence of a black gorget on the throat, 

 and generally of a crest of long hairs down the back. The only 

 African member of the genus is the present species ; and although 

 there are numerous other African representatives of the family, 

 belonging to distinct genera, none of these can claim to rank as game 

 worthy of the sportsman's notice. Indeed, the civet itself is only 

 admitted on sufferance. 



The species is a native of the tropical and subtropical districts of 

 the continent ; and in former days was, like its Asiatic relative, of 

 some commercial importance and value, as a source of the perfume to 

 which it gives (or from which it takes) its name. Measuring about 

 50 inches in total length, of which some 18 are taken up by the tail, 



