138 THE CIVET THE ZIBET, &c. 



have genets in their houses, which are as tame as cats, and 

 effectually expel rats, mice, and all other noxious vermin. 



THE CIVET 



Produces a perfume of much stronger quality than thnt of the 

 genet, and affords a far greater quantity : in size it is also supe- 

 rior to that animal. This is indeed the largest of all the weasel 

 kind. Its teeth are strong and sharp, but its claws somewhat 

 weak. It is active and nirnhle, leaps like a cat, and lives in the 

 same manner, and on the same kinds of food as the weasel : like 

 that, and most other carnivorous animals, it hunts its prey chiefly 

 in the dark. It is naturally wild, and somewhat ferocious, hut 

 when tamed becomes tolerably tractable. 



The civet is originally a native of warm countries, but lives 

 and thrives tolerably well in temperate, and even in cold climates, 

 if it be. well protected from the weather; and in Holland many 

 are kept for the sake of their perfume, which is contained in a 

 pouch near the tail, whence it is drawn two or three times a 

 week. 



The very idea of animal perfumes appears offensive to a deli- 

 cate mind ; but although this in particular is in the present age 

 growing out of fashion, it was formerly very much esteemed, 

 and sold as high as fifty shillings per ounce. The quantity of 

 perfume which the civet yields, depends principally on the health 

 of the animal, and the nutritious quality of its food. The ancients 

 were well acquainted with its perfume, and ascribed to it certain 

 fabulous powers ; it is so strong, that it is impossible to bear 

 any considerable quantity in a room ; and no person could sup- 

 port the scent of the animal, in a place not admitting a free cir- 

 culation of air. This perfume, however, is generally esteemed 

 more agreeable than musk; and industry, taking advantage of 

 the caprice of taste, has contrived to make it a lucrative article 

 of commerce. 



THE ZIBET 



Is, by some, considered as an animal distinct from the civet, 

 while others suppose it to be only a variety of the same kind. 

 They differ indeed in several distinguishing characteristics ; but 

 they seem to agree in the most essential qualities; and their 

 general relations are so striking, that all the perceptible differ- 

 ence between them may, with the strongest probability, be sup- 

 posed to proceed from climate, food, or other accidental circum- 

 stances. 



THE GLUTTON 



Is frequently found in the northern parts of Europe and 

 America, and derives its name from its voracious appetite. Lin- 



