66 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



Viverra* the Civet. 



This genus includes several animals of small size, 

 whose characters vary much among themselves. In 

 general they approximate to the Cats, in their den- 

 tition, in a tongue bristled with points, and in claws 

 more or less retractile. Most of them have, in the 

 hinder part of their body, a peculiar pouch into 

 which an unctuous, and in some species a fragrant 

 substance oozes, formerly valued as a perfume. 

 They inhabit Africa and the Indian Isles. Besides 

 the common Civet, (V. Civetta,) we shall only notice 

 the Paradoxure, (V. Typus,) which to the claws of 

 the Cats, and the teeth of the true Civets, joins a 

 nearly plantigrade walk, and a tail which it can twist 

 spirally. 



Hycena,^ the Hyena. 



Possessing many characters in common with the 

 Dogs on one hand, and the Cats on the other, the 

 Hyenas form an intermediate link, sufficiently sepa- 

 rate from either. Their alliance with the former is 

 indicated by their short claws, which are not sheath- 

 ed, by their form and general contour, and by their 

 cowardliness during the day ; while the tongue beset 

 with strong horny papillae, and the prevalence of 

 transverse stripes or spots on their coats, shew their 

 affinity with the latter. They differ from both, how- 

 ever, in having but four toes on the fore feet, as well 

 as on the hind, in their dentition, and in a stiff 



* Its Latin name. 



t Its Greek name, from vj, 7/s, a hog. 



