2 40 THE CIVET FAMILY 



away to feed on some herb that acts as an antidote. An observer kept 

 one as a pet for some time, and says: *'It traveled with me on horse- 

 back in an empty holster, or in a pocket, or up my sleeve; and after- 

 wards, when my duties as a settlement-officer took me out into camps, 

 'Pips' was my constant companion. He was excessively clean, and 

 after catin,!^: would pick his teeth with his claws in a most absurd 

 manner. I do not know whether a mong-oosc in a w^ild state will eat 

 carrion, but he would not touch anything- tainted; and, though very 

 fond of freshly-cooked game, would turn u]) his nose at high partridge 

 or grouse. He was very fond of eggs, and, holding them in his fore- 

 paws, would crack a little hole at the small end, out of which he would 

 suck the contents. He was a very good ratter, and also killed many 

 snakes against which I pitted him. His way seemed to be to tease the 

 snake into darting at him, when, with inconceivable rapidity, he w^ould 

 pounce on the reptile's head. He seemed to know instinctively which 

 were the poisonous ones, and acted with corresponding caution. I do 

 not believe in the mongoose being proof against snake-])oison, or in 

 the antidote theory. Their extreme agility prevents their being bitten ; 

 and the stiff, rigid hair which is excited at sucii limes, and a thick. 

 loose skin, are an additional protection. 1 think it has been proved 

 that if the ])oison of a snake is injected into the veins of a mongoose 

 it proves fatal." 



The Genettes are smaller than the civets, less stoutly built and 

 with shorter limbs. They emit a nuisky odor, but there is no ])ouc]i 

 in which the product of the scent-glands is stored up. The soft gray 

 fur is spotted with brown or black. All the s])ecies are African, but 

 one, the common genette, is also found in the South of France, Spain, 

 and Southwestern Asia. It is often domesticated as a mouser. 



The Linsangs are beautiful and graceful cat-like animals, with 

 three species from Asia and one from Africa. The body is long and 

 slender, the limbs short, the tail long and round, and ringed with black. 

 In the Asiatic linsangs the ground color is rich buff or grayish-white, 

 marked with oblong black patches. The African linsang, by far the 

 largest, is marked wnth si)ots and small blotches. They are as nuich at 

 home in trees as on the ground, and prey on small mammals and birds. 

 They become gentle in confinement and are easily tamed. 



