Mammalia. S3 



Genus Genetta. Cuvier, 



Teeth as in Viverra; annl pouch reduced to a mere fold of the 

 skin, containing very li'.tle stcetion ; tail rather loni) ; figure 

 slender ; strikes and scratches with the fore feet like cats* 



Genetta vulgaris ? (Common Genet.) Ground colour red- 

 dish white, or dull yellowish grey, variegated with stripes and 

 spots. The stripes vary as to number and distinctness in differ- 

 ent individuals, but three are always evident, viz. one between 

 the hind-head and root of the tail, and one on each side of 

 back of the neck, whicli terminate at the posterior edges of the 

 shoulders. The sides of the neck and body, the shoulders, and 

 (Outer surfaces of hinder extremities, towards their roots, rather 

 closely spotted, the spots with reddish brown centres and black 

 edges, those on the sides disposed in somewhat longitudinal 

 rows, and are largest towards the back. Under parts of neck 

 and body dull yellowish white slightly mottled with dusky spots; 

 ground colour of extremities the same as that of the body, the 

 fore ones marked in frout by small blackish spots, the hinder 

 ones, in addition to spots, have each a large black blotch on 

 their posterior surface just over the heel. Head pale brownish 

 red pencilled with black ; under each eye and on each side of 

 nostrils, a whitish spot with the space between them blackish ; 

 whiskers black ; outer sides of ears black at base, reddish 

 white elsewhere ; inner sides margined with reddish white hair, 

 elsewhere bare. Tail auunlatcd alternately black and white ; 

 the rings about nineteen in number, and nearly of equal breadth, 

 the last one black. Length from nose to root of tail nineteen 

 inches ; length of tail sixteen inches : height at shoulder seven 

 inches, at rump seven inches and a half. 



Inliabits South Africa, towards Natal. — Europe. 



Viverra Genetta, Lin. La Genette, Buff, torn ix. 



• The ViverttB of Linnaeus appear to me to have had a very inappro- 

 priate positiOD assigned them iu our systems, and it is only from not 

 Laving the means of examining others of tli«m than the Genets, that I 

 have not placed some of the species at least in close fellowship with the 

 Feline race. Like Cats, the Genets hiss when approached or irritated, 

 like them they spring upon their prey ; they strike and scratch with the 

 fore feet, they climb with great facility, and their colours are disposed 

 in a somewhat similar manner. An accurate observance of the powers 

 and habits of animals would doubtless direct to the discovery of many 

 hitherto overlooked identities or affinities in structure, which would sug- 

 gest a more natural and satisfactory classification than even the best at 

 present existing, which, to say the least of it, every one must acknow- 

 ledge is well calculated to humble man, and prove to him how little he 

 yet has discovered of the real plan of the Author of the World. 



