XIII VIVERRA 405 
more like that of the Felidae than of the Viverridae, and the 
teeth are more Feline in structure. The claws of the feet are 
retractile. As to internal structure the Fossa agrees largely 
with the Viverridae, but then this family has no very marked 
points of difference from the Felidae; but where the anatomy 
does diverge from that of the Felidae it approaches the Viverridae, 
especially in the muscular system. 
Fic. 199.—Fossa. Cryptoprocta ferow. x 
6° 
The remaining and by far the larger number of genera of 
Civets are grouped by Professor Mivart in two sub-families: 
the VIVERRINAE, including the genera Viverra, Viverricula, 
Fossa, Genetta, Prionodon, Poiana, Paradoxurus, <Arctogale, 
Hemigale, Arctictis, Nandinia, and Cynogale; and the HERPES- 
TINAE, including the genera Herpestes, Helogale, Cynictis, and 
probably Bdeogale and Rhynchogale. In the Viverrinae the 
digits are always five, the claws are more or less retractile, the 
prescrotal scent glands are usually present, and the anus does 
not open into a sac. On the other hand, the Herpestinae are 
characterised. by the non-retractility of the claws, the absence of 
the glands in question, and the fact that the anus does open into 
a terminal sac. 
Sub-Fam. 4. Viverrinae.— Viverra includes the true Civets. 
The genus, save for one African species, is Oriental in range. 
The molar formula is the complete one for the Viverridae, viz. 
