76 CIVET-CAT. 



THE CIVET, OR CIVET-CAT. 



There are two varieties of this odoriferous animal, which 

 Buffon considers as a distinct species, under the names of 

 the civet and zibet. The latter differs principally from the 

 former, in having a longer and more slender body, in being 

 destitute of the mane or long hair running down the back, 

 and in having the tail longer and more annulated. These 

 variations, however, are not sufficient to constitute a spe- 

 cific difference ; and therefore I shall consider them as the 

 effect of food or climate. 



The civet is a light active creature : and, like the rest of 

 the weasel kind, preys on birds and other small animals ; 

 or, in case of a deficiency of more agreeable food, on 

 fruits and roots. In a state of nature it is very fierce and 

 wild; and though sometimes reclaimed, it never becomes 

 perfectly familiar. 



The colour of this creature varies considerably : how- 

 ever, it is commonly cinereous, spotted with black ; but the 

 female is whiter, and her spots are larger. On account of 

 the odorous matter which it exudes from its posterior 

 glands, it is frequently taken under the care of man, 

 when the perfume is collected twice or thrice a week 

 with the most diligent attention. This substance accu- 

 mulates in a kind of open pouch, situated under the tail; 

 and is scraped out with a wooden spoon, and put into a 

 close vessel. 



When the civet is irritated, the scent becomes much 

 more violent than at other times ; but it is always so strong, 

 that a person unaccustomed to it, could not endure to be 

 shut up with one of these creatures, even for a few minutes. 

 Yet disgusting as all animal perfumes must be, there has 

 been a time when the produce of the civet was in the 

 highest estimation with the ladies and with effeminate men. 

 It is, no doubt, more grateful than musk ; but the very 

 idea of borrowing from such a source is not a little offen- 

 sive to a delicate mind. The traffic in this perfume, how- 

 ever, is still very considerable, and was long monopolized 

 by the Dutch ; but, to the credit and taste of elegance, it 

 is now greatly on the decline 



