148 CARNIVORA FISSIPEDIA. 



more of the secretion when angry they are generally con- 

 fined by those who cultivate them in a cage so long and 

 narrow that they are unable to turn around when the 

 spatula is being used to obtain the secretion. 



The habitat of the Civet Cat is confined entirely to the 

 Eastern Hemisphere, the majority of the species being 

 Asiatic though some are found in Africa. The Asiatic 

 species (Viverra-zibetha) can be distinguished from the 

 (Viverra-civetta) of Africa by the black half -rings ex- 

 tending the whole length of the tail, black bands on the 

 side of the neck, and the absence of a mane. 



This animal should never be confounded with the little 

 striped skunk of North America, the so-called "Civet Cat" 

 of commerce, which is fully described in its proper place 

 in the weasel family. The Chinese Civet is not only an 

 entirely different animal, but its coarse, harsh fur is of a 

 different color, and the skins, of which quite a number 

 are consumed, are only used where price is the primary 

 consideration. 



In China and on the west coast of Africa this animal is 

 also known as the Bush Cat, and the Chinese species are 

 called Chinese Civets by the furriers. 



In the Genets (Viverra-genetta), the pouch is reduced 

 to a slight depression formed by the projection of the 

 glands, and has scarcely any visible secretion although 

 an odor is diffused from it that is very perceptible. The 

 pupils of the eyes of the Genet form a vertical fissure in 

 the light and the nails are completely retractile as in 

 the Cat. It is also distinguished from the Civet by the 

 slenderness of its body, a longer and more tapering tail, 

 shorter and blunter claws, and the nature of its fur which 

 is short and soft, brownish yellow or greyish in the 

 ground, and blackish brown on top. These animals are 

 easily tamed, and in the south of Europe the (Genetta- 

 vulgarus) or Common Genet is often kept in the houses 

 for killing rats and mice. 



