ITS 



VERTEB11ATA. 





the srRiCATE. — (See p. 183.) 



THE CYXOGALE. 



In a state of captivity it becomes in a degree tame, but never familiar, and is dangerous .to 

 handle. The young are fed on farinaceous food, millet-pap for instance, with a little flesh or fish; 

 and, when ol<l, 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 civet is procured by scraping 

 the inside of the pouch with an iron spatula at intervals — about twice a week. If the animal is 

 _■■■•■■! condition and a male, especially if he has been irritated, a dram or thereabouts is 

 obtained each time. The quantity collected from the female does not equal that secreted by the 

 male Civet, which, by the way, is sometimes confounded with musk, like most other articles of 

 this nature, is much adulterated, and it is difficult to get it quite pure. The adulteration i- 

 t'd with suet or oil to make it heavier. 



The other species, the Zibet, V. zibetha, is somewdiat smaller than the preceding; the general 



complexion i< brownish gray, marked with small, Mack, round spots. It is a native of India. 



A species of zibet is also found in the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and Celebes, somewhat larger 



than the one ju-t described. The fur is also of a lighter color. To this is given the name of 



1'. Tangalunga by natural] 



Genus GENET: Genetta. — Of this genus there are several species, all somewhat smaller than 

 a cat, and all living upon animal prey. 



The Common Genet, G. vulgaris — Vtverra genetta of Lirmams — is of a beautiful reddish gray. 

 spotted with small black or brown patches, which are sometimes round and sometimes oblong J 

 the tail, which is as long as the body, is ringed with black and white, the black rings being to 

 the number of nine or eleven. There are white spots on the eyebrow, the cheek, and on each 

 side of the end of the nose. It appears, however, that there is some variety in the size and 

 number of tic patches, the bands along the shoulder and neck, the lines on the nape, etc. 



This handsome animal i- found both in a wild and domestic state in the south of Europe, and 

 thence southward through Africa to the Cape of Good Ilope. In its natural state, it loves to 

 dwell in low lands, or along the hanks of rivers and lakes, and in the vicinity of springs. It is of 

 predatory habits, and feeds upon small animals, although it also eats vegetables. In the light, 

 the eyes contract like those of a cat, and the claws are nearly as retractile as those of that < 



