CARNIVORA. 63 



meaning scent or perfume, and gives name to the animal. They 

 are nocturnal and predatory ; inhabit Africa, Asia and the adja- 

 cent islands, and are particularly numerous in Abyssinia. Their 

 general appearance is like that of the fox. 



GENETTA, (Fr. Genette.) The GENETS or WILD CATS. 



The Genets are similar to the Civets, but in contour of body, 

 are most like the Weasels, having long arid slender forms, short 

 limbs and sharp pointed muzzles. They give out the same odor 

 as the Civets, though the odoriferous pouches are much reduced 

 in size. 



HERPESTES ICHNEUMON, Pharaoh's Rat, or Mangouste. 



This beautiful little animal is appropriately called Herpestes, 

 (Gr. a creeper,) and Ichneumon, (Gr. a tracker.) It was an- 

 ciently ranked among the sacred animals of Egypt; destroys 

 reptiles and young crocodiles, and thousands of crocodile's eggs. 

 It is kept tame in the houses of the east, to destroy unpleasant 

 intruders. 



What is said of .tlie rnwed form and nature of the Hyaena? What 

 of its disposition and habits? How many species are there? Describe 

 the one figured on the chart. Give its zoological gradations. Ans. The 

 Common or Striped Hyaena is of the VAUIETY, striata ; SPECIES, vulgaris; 

 GENUS, Hyaena; sub-family, Hyenina, FAMILY or TRIBE, Cauidae; SUB-ORDER, 

 Digitigrada; ORDEJR, Oarnivora; CLASS, Mammalia; WARM BLOODED division 

 of the SUB-KINGDOM, Vertebrates, the highest branch of the ANIMAL KING- 

 DOM. Give the meaning of these several gradations. Trace out every 

 genus studied by the class in this way. To what deceptive expedient do 

 the Hyaenas resort? Do they often assail man? Where do they live? 

 Upon what do they feed ? What do they sometimes do ? 



For what are the Civets noted ? From what is their name derived ? 

 Where are they found ? What is their general appearance ? 



What are the Genets most like? In what do they resemble the Civets? 

 How was the Ichneumon ranked, and for what is it useful in Egypt? 



SECTION XII. 



2. DIVISION OF THE DlGITIGRADES. 



The CANIDAE, (Lat. cants,) a dog. (PI. IV., fig. 2.) 



This includes a large number of animals, some of which, in 

 particular respects, resemble the Cats; others, the Weasels and 

 Bears. The dog has, from olden time, been the friend and com- 

 panion of man; yet some uncertainty still exists as to its original 

 stock. It is quite like both the Wolf and the Jackal. Some 



