96 YIVERRID.E. 



the upper sectorial very large, nearly equal to the hinder lobe in 

 size. The true upper molars are well developed. The lower 

 sectorial has a large talon with two large inner and two small 

 outer tubercles. The milk-dentition is figured by Mivart (P. Z. S. 

 1882, p. 155). 



Vertebra? : C. 7, D. 13, L. 7 (or D. 14, L. 6), S. 3, C. 22-30. 



This and the next genus comprise the true Civet-cats, from 

 which the substance known as civet, largely used as a perfume, is 

 obtained. It is the secretion of a pair of glands found in both 

 sexes, just in front of the scrotum in the male, and in a corre- 

 sponding position in the female. The secretion escapes by a 

 number of minute orifices into a large sac, the external opening of 

 which appears as a longitudinal slit, resembling a large vaginal 

 aperture *. There are also two glands surrounding the anus, the 

 secretion from which has a very different and extremely offensive 

 odour. Various kinds of civet-cats, belonging to this and the 

 next genus, are kept in small cages in some countries, and the 

 civet collected from the pouch periodically ; but I am not aware 

 whether this is done anywhere in India. 



Synopsis of Indian and Burmese Species. 



A. No black stripe down the tail. 



a. Markings on sides indistinct or wanting V. zibctha, p. 90. 



b. Large transverse dark marks on sides V. civettina, p. 98. 



B. A black stripe down upper surface of tail. 



a. Large dark tail-rings not interrupted below. . V. megaspila, p. 99. 



Eemains of two species of Viverra, V. lakeri and V. durandi, 

 the last-named larger than any existing civet-cat, have been found 

 in the Pliocene beds of the Siwalik hills. 



45. Viverra zibetha t. The large Indian Civet. 



Viverra zibetha, L. Syst. Nat. i, p. 65 (17(36) ; Schreb. Sdugeth. iii, 



p. 420, pi. cxii ; Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxxi, p. 331 ; id. Cat. p. 45 ; 



Jerdon, Mam. p. 120. 



Viverra undulata, Gray, Spic. Zool. p. 9, pi. 8. 

 Viverra sp., M'Clelland, C'alc. Journ. N. H. i. p. 56, pi. i. 

 Viverra orientalis, Jiodie melanurus, Hodgson, (.'ale. Journ. N. If. ii, 



p. 47. 

 Viverra melanurus et civettoides, Hodgson, J. A. S. B. x, p. 909, xi, 



p. 279 (no descriptions). 



Khatds, Hindi (used for several other animals also) ; Mach-bhomlar, 

 Bdgdos, Pudo-ganla, Beng. ; lihrdn, Nepal Terai ; Kit biraht, Nepal ; 

 Kunff, Bliot ; Saphiony, Lepcha ; Kyoung-ntyeng (horse-cat), Burmese ; 

 Tangalong, Malay. 



* Hodgson, Calc. Journ. N. H. ii, p. 54, pi. i, f. 1, 2 ; Mivart, P. Z. S. 1882, 

 p. 147. 



The figures representing this species and V. megaspila in Sterndale's 

 ' Natural History of the Mammalia of India' are apparently taken from other 

 animals. The first figure much resembles the African V. civetta. 



