THE CIVET. 229 



general aspect of the creature is very similar to that of the hyena, for, in addition to the 

 hyenine sloping back and weak hind legs, the fur is rough, coarse, and colored in a 

 manner not unlike that of the striped hyena. The tail is very large in proportion to 

 the size of the animal, and is thickly covered with long bushy hair, black at the ex- 

 tremity, and blackish-gray on the other portions of that member. The back of the neck 

 and the shoulders are furnished with a thick bristling mane, which it can erect when 

 excited, and it then resembles a miniature striped hyena. 



The claws of the fore-feet are sturdy, and firmly attached to the paws, so as to serve 

 their proper use of digging. The Aard Wolf is an admirable excavator, and digs for 

 itself a deep burrow, where it lies concealed during the day, buried in sleep at the 

 bottom of its mine. From this habit of burrowing in the earth, the creature has de- 

 rived its title of " Aard, or Earth Wolf." 



A curious mode of domestic arrangement is carried out by these animals. Several 

 individuals seem to unite in forming a common habitation. Several deep burrows are 

 dug, having their common termination in a small chamber, where three or four Aard 

 Wolves take up their residence. Whether each animal digs and uses its own burrow, 

 or whether the tunnels, as well as the central chamber, are common to the inhabitants, 

 is not known. It seems, however, to be probable that such a mode of procedure 

 would be adopted, and that each member of the little community appropriated to itself 

 the tunnel which its own paws had dug. 



The color of the Aard Wolf is gray, with a decided tinge of yellow. Several broad 

 bands of darker fur are seen on the sides, and the paws are quite black. The hair of 

 this animal is of two kinds, a thick, short, woolly coating, which lies next to the skin, 

 and a longer and coarser set of hairs, which protrude through the woolly coating, and 

 hang downwards to some length. The adult Aard Wolf is about three feet six inches 

 in total length, the tail being about a foot long. 



The food of this animal is similar to that of the hyena, and consists chiefly of carrion 

 and small animals. It does not disdain to make an occasional meal en insects, for a 

 number of ants were discovered in the stomach of an Aard Wolf that had been 

 killed. 



The CIVET, sometimes, but wrongly, called the Civet Cat, is a native of Northern 

 Africa, and is found plentifully in Abyssinia, where it is eagerly sought on account of 

 the peculiarly scented substance which is secreted in certain glandular pouches. This 

 Civet perfume was formerly considered as a most valuable medicine, and could only 

 be obtained at a very high price ; but in the present day it has nearly gone out of 

 fashion as a drug, and holds its place in commerce more as a simple perfume than as 

 a costly panacea. 



In this animal we may trace a decided resemblance to the Aard Wolf, both in the 

 shape of the body and in the markings. 



But the Civet bears itself in a very different manner, having more of the weasel than 

 of the hyenine nature, and the coloring of the fur is of a much richer character than 

 that of the previously mentioned animal. 



It is nearly as large as the Aard Wolf, its total length being about three feet six 

 inches, of which the tail occupies nearly one-third. Along the back, and even on part 

 of the tail, runs a boldly marked crest or mane, which can be erected by the animal 

 at pleasure, or can lie nearly, but not quite, evenly with the fur. 



The substance which is so prized on account of its odoriferous qualities is secreted 

 in a double pouch, which exists under the abdomen, close to the insertion of the tail. 

 As this curious production is of some value in commerce, the animal which furnishes 

 the precious secretion is too valuable to be killed for the sake of its scent-pouch, and 

 is kept in a state of captivity, so as to afford a continual supply of the odoriferous 

 material. 



The mode by which the Civet perfume is removed from the animal is very ingenious. 

 The animals which belong to this group are very quick and active in their movements, 

 and, being furnished with sharp teeth and strong jaws, are dangerous beasts to handle. 

 As may be imagined, the Civet resents the rough treatment that must be used in order to 



