GENET. COMMON OTTER. 77 



The civet, though a native of warm latitudes, thrives 

 very well in the temperate ; and is frequently bred in 

 Holland. 



THE GENET. 



This animal is about the size of the marten. It is long, 

 slender, and covered with a soft, beautiful fur, spotted 

 with black, on a ground mixed with red and gray. Its 

 spots are distinct and separate on the sides ; but unite to- 

 wards the back, and there form longitudinal stripes. Along 

 the back runs a kind of mane, and the tail is annulated 

 with black and white. 



Like the rest of its genus, it is furnished with odori- 

 ferous glands, which exude a weak kind of civet; but its 

 perfume speedily evaporates. It is easily domesticated ; 

 and, according to Bellonius, is capable of performing all 

 the offices of the common cat. 



This species does not appear to be much diffused. It is 

 not found in any part of Europe, except Turkey and 

 Spain ; and though it requires a warm climate for its sub- 

 sistence and propagation, it has never been discovered in 

 the warm regions of India or of Africa. 



THE COMMON OTTER. 



This is an amphibious quadruped ; and is furnished with 

 membranes or webs between the toes, to assist it in swim- 

 ming. Indeed it makes its way faster in water than on 

 land ; and can overtake the fish on which it preys, in their 

 own element. It has long whiskers, small eyes, erect 

 ears, short legs, a long body, and long hair of a brown 

 colour, inclining to silvery. Its usual length is about two 

 feet, and its tail half as much. 



The otter inhabits the banks of lakes and rivers ; and is 

 extremely destructive to the fishes, killing more than it 

 can eat. In summer it enjoys a life of ease and plenty; 

 but, when the rivers are frozen, it is frequently driven to the 

 necessity of feeding on such terrestrial animals or vege- 

 tables as it can procure* Nature, however, has furnished 

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