THE ASIATIC CIVET. 



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bands or spots. On the middle line of the back and between the shoulders its hair is longer, forming 

 a sort of mane. The snout is white, the tail ringed with black. 



" The Civet approaches, in its habits, nearest to the Foxes and smaller Cats, preferring to make 

 its predatory excursions against birds and smaller quadrupeds in the night, although, like other 

 Carnivora, it will occasionally attack its prey in the daytime. In a state of captivity it becomes in a 

 degree tame, but never familiar, and is dangerous to handle. The young ones feed on farinaceous 

 food millet-pap, for instance with a little flesh or fish, and when old on raw flesh. Many of them 

 are kept in North Africa, to obtain the perfume which bears the name of the animal, and brings a 

 high price." 



The great naturalist, Cuvier, says of a Civet kept at Paris : " Its musky odour was always 



AFRICAN CIVET. 



perceptible, but became stronger than usual when the animal was irritated. At such times little lumps 

 of odoriferous matter fell from its pouch. These masses were also produced when the animal was left 

 alone, but only at intervals of fifteen or twenty days. This Civet passed nearly all day and the whole 

 night in sleeping, rolling itself up with its head between its legs ; it was necessary to threaten or even 

 strike it to rouse it from its lethargy. " 



THE ASIATIC CIVET.* 



The Asiatic Civet, large Civet Cat, or Zibet, " inhabits Bengal, extending northwards into Nepaul 

 and Sikkim, and into Cuttack, Orissa, and Central India on the south. It also extends into Assam, 

 Burmah, Southern China, and parts of Malayana. It is said to frequent brushwood and grass, also 

 the dense thorny scrub that usually covers the bends of tanks. It is very carnivorous, and destructive 

 to poultry, game, &c., but will also, it is said, eat fish, crabs, and insects. Hounds, and indeed all 

 Dogs, are greatly excited by the scent of the Civet, and will leave any other scent for it. It will 

 readily take to water if hard pressed." 



* Viverra Zibetha. 



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