CIVET. 45 



otherwise than by occasionally destroying poultry and 

 eggs. 



The length of the Skunk is about eighteen inches, ex- 

 clusive of the tail ; and of the tail about fourteen inches. 

 It is of a blackish colour, with five parallel white stripes, 

 from the head, along the back and sides, to the tail. The 

 neck is short ; and the legs are also short and black. 

 The tail is usually carried over the back, and is covered 

 with very long hair, which is whitish towards the ex- 

 tremity. 



Civet, or Civet-Cat. This animal is remarkable for 

 producing the drug, or perfume, called civet, which has 

 sometimes been confounded with musk, but which is a 

 very different kind of substance. This is taken from a 

 kind of pouch, situated at a little distance beneath the 

 tail. The animals are kept in wooden cages, on account 

 of this perfume, which is nearly of the consistence of 

 soft pomatum, and which is scraped out, with a small 

 wooden spoon, two or three times a week. In its general 

 manners, the Civet somewhat resembles a cat, jumping 

 and running about in the most sprightly and frolicsome 

 manner imaginable. It is a native of Egypt, Ethiopia, 

 Guinea, and the Cape of Good Hope ; and feeds on small 

 animals, particularly on birds and their eggs. It is, like- 

 wise, very fond of fish. Although naturally of a ferocious 

 and savage disposition, it has frequently been rendered 

 tame and familiar. Its voice somewhat resembles the cry 

 of an enraged dog. 



The Civet is about two feet in length, and the tail is 

 half as long as the body. The general colour of the body 

 is a yellowish ash-grey, marked with large blackish, or 

 dusky, and some grey spots and stripes. The hair is 

 long and coarse, and, upon the ridge of the back, forms 



