FAMILY. 



" VIVE REID AE; 



/ .^ ,.. - , . ' ' : i ' ! 



Tubercular molars, two above and one below; scctorial tooth typical; feet digitigrade or plantigrade; claws retractile; a short 

 coecum. 



The species of this family are usually animals of moderate size, averaging, perhaps, that of 

 the domestic cat, with a more slender and elongated body and more pointed muzzle, the tail 

 long and generally annulated. There is in some respects a resemblance in form to the martens. 

 The legs are short and the feet are usually five-toed, though in the mangoustes (Cynictis) the 

 hind feet have but four toes, while in Eyzaena all the feet exhibit this number. In the greater 

 or less degree of retractility of the claws, the family is distinguishable from the martens and 

 exhibit an approach to the cats. Most species are digitigrade, with hairy soles ; a few have 

 them naked. They have the two anal glands of thfc Mustelidae, with others in the anal and 

 pubic regions peculiar to them. 



The typical dental formula of the Viverridae is incisors, |^; canines, ~ ; premolars, ~ ; 

 molars, ^ = D=: 40. In a few genera the first permanent premolars are not developed. The 

 dentition differs from that of the Canidae, which it otherwise resembles, in having one tubercular 

 true molar less in each side of the lower jaw. There are two of these tubercular molars on each 

 side, above and below, posterior to the sectorial teeth. The Mustelidae, on the other hand, have 

 only one such tubercular molar. 



The geographical distribution of the Viverridae is quite restricted. Only one genus, Bassaris, 

 is found in the New World ; all the others are inhabitants of Africa and Southern Asia. A 

 single species, the genet, (Viverra genetta,) occurs in Southern Europe. The African Viverra 

 civetta, or civet cat, furnishes a well known musky substance called civet, a secretion from the 

 peculiar anal glands. This is obtained sometimes from trees, upon which it is ejected by the 

 animal, sometimes directly from their glandular pouch. 



