THE CIVET. 10! 



from the head to the tail : it appears to resemble the 

 martin in disposition, except that it seems more easily 

 tamed ; for, at Constantinople, it runs about the 

 houses with as much familiarity as our domestic cats, 

 and prevents the 'appearance either of mice or rats. 

 The species of the genet is much diffused, and is 

 chiefly to be found in Turkey and Spain. 



THE CIVET. 



Th e civet is much larger than any of the weasel kind, 

 and peculiarly esteemed in consequence of its per- 

 fume, which is contained in glands near the tail, and 

 sold at about fifty shillings an ounce. Mr. Buffon is 

 of opinion that there are two kinds of this animal, and 

 calls them by a different name ; but we are inclined to 

 believe that the zibet and the civet are one and the 

 same race, altered in appearance by climate and food. 



Though the body of the civet bears a strong re- 

 semblance to all the animals of the weasel kind, yet 

 the head is shaped like that of a fox, and the tail and 

 ears like those of a cat : its colour varies, though it is 

 chiefly ash, sometimes spotted, and at others streaked 

 with black. 



Those who breed these animals for the sake of their 

 perfume, keep them confined in a long box too nar- 

 row for them to turn round, which opens at the end, 

 when they catch the creature by the tail, drop a bar 

 before it, which prevents it from moving, and take 

 out the civet (which has the appearance of pomatum) 

 with a wooden spoon. This composition has so 

 powerful a smell, that it is impossible to bear any 

 quantity of it in a room ; and no person could even 

 ii 3 



