THE TRUE CIVETS 



457 



African Civet 



The African civet ( Viverra civetta), which is one of the larger mem- 

 bers of the genus, inhabits the tropical portions of Africa ; and is 

 of a brownish-gray ground color, marked with interrupted dark streaks, or blotches, 

 over the whole body. The tail is dark colored, with the rings very indistinct in the 

 terminal portion. Little is recorded of its habits in the wild state ; but these are 

 probably similar to those of the next species. This civet, together with other 

 species belonging to the same genus, and likewise some of other genera, is kept in 

 cages for the purpose of obtaining its secretion, which is, however, now much less 

 used in Europe than formerly. 



This civet ( V. zibetha), of which the upper teeth are figured on 

 p. 454, is an animal of nearly the same size as its African cousin, its 

 total length being fifty inches, of which eighteen are occupied by the tail. It is 



Indian Civet 



^s?X 



THE INDIAN CIVET. 



(One-sixth natural size. ) 



distinguished by having the erectile crest on the back, of a deep black color; thus 

 forming a distinct black stripe running from the shoulders to the first ring on the 

 tail, which is bordered on either side by a pale band. There are several dark bands 

 on the chest, shoulders, and thighs ; but the sides of the body are either plain 

 colored or with very indistinct markings ; the general color of the fur being a dark 

 gray, frequently with a more or less decided yellowish or brownish tinge. The tail 

 is marked with six black rings, which are much wider than the intervening white 

 ones ; its tip being black. The Indian civet inhabits the eastern side of India, from 

 Bengal to Sikhim, ascending in the last-named district to a considerable elevation in 



