CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 5. CARNIVORA. 



177 



Genus BINTURONG : Ictides. — Of this genus, called Arctictis by Temminck, there appears to 

 be only one species, the Black Ictide, I. ater, the Viverra binturong of Raffles. Its color is 

 black, speckled with gray. The hair is long, and there is a tuft at each ear. The tail is long 

 and hairy, and has a propensity to curl, as if prehensile, which it is in fact, to some extent. The 

 7. albifrons, which is of a grayish-brown color, is only the female of the I. ater, and not a distinct 

 species, as some naturalists have supposed. 



THE VIVERRINS. 



This family includes a number of genera, all bearing considerable resemblance to the Genet, 

 and, with a single exception, that of the Bassaris, belonging to the Eastern continent. They are 

 nocturnal in their habits, and the eyes contract into a perpendicular line, like those of the cat, 

 when exposed to the light. They are generally, although not in all the species, savage and 

 blood-thirsty, making great havoc among birds and small animals, such as rats, mice, squirrels, 

 frogs, and the like. Several of the species possess an anal pouch, which yields a strong, musky 

 secretion. 



Genus CYNOGALE : Cynogale. — Of this there is but a single species, the Cynogale Bennett i, 

 found in Borneo. Its body is about eighteen inches long, and of a slender form ; the legs are 

 short; the fur thick and soft, resembling that of the otter. The color is brown, tinged with gray. 

 It frequents moist places, and enters lakes and rivers in search of its prey, which consists of fish 

 and other animals. 



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■^Oit-tiA (A V!^ 



THE CIVET. 



Genus CIVET : Viverra. — Of this there are two species, the most common of which is the 

 Civet, V. civetta. The length of the elongated body of this animal is from two to three feet ; 

 the tail about half as long as the body ; height from ten inches to a foot ; hair of the body long, 

 brownish gray, with numerous interrupted, transverse, black bands or spots of the same color. 

 The hairs on the ridge or middle line of the back, from between the shoulders, are longer, and can 

 be raised or depressed at the pleasure of the animal. The legs and most part of the tail are black : 

 upper lip and sides of the neck, almost white. The eyes are surrounded each by a black patch. 

 .Two or three black bands pass from the base of the cars obliquely toward the shoulder and neck, 

 which last has a broad black patch. It is a native of the north of Africa.- 



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 thesi 

 icanrivora, it will occasionally attack its prey in the day-time. 



Vol. I.— 23 



