230 



THE CIVET. 



effect the desired purpose, and snaps and twists about with such lithe and elastic 

 vigor that no one could venture to lay a hand on it without sufficient precaution. So, 

 when the time arrives for the removal of the perfume, the Civet is put into a long and 

 very narrow cage, so that it cannot turn itself round. A bone or horn spoon is then 

 introduced through an opening, and the odoriferous secretion is scraped from its pouch 

 with perfect impunity. This end achieved, the plundered animal is released from 

 its strait durance, and is permitted a respite until the supply of perfume shall be 

 re-formed. 



As the Civet might be inconvenienced by the continual secretion of this substance, 

 Nature supplies a simple remedy, and the perfume falls from the pouch in pieces about 

 the size of an ordinary nut. The interior of each half of the pouch is sufficiently 

 capacious to hold a large almond. As the civet is formed, it is pressed through very 

 small orifices into the pouch, so that if it examined before it has merged itself into a 

 uniform mass, it is something like fine vermicelli in appearance. The interior of the 

 pouch is thickly coated with fine hairs, and entirely covered with the minute orifices 

 or pores through which the perfume exudes. The creature is able to compress the 

 pouch at will. 



CIVET. Viverra Clvcttm. 



The Civet seems to be a very sleepy animal, especially during the daytime, and to 

 be with difficulty aroused from its somnolence. 



While it remains in the pouch, the " civet " is rather thick and unctuous, something 

 like butter in texture. 



The use which this curious secretion subserves in the economy of the creature is very 

 dubious. It is not sufficiently liquid to be ejected against its pursuers, and so to repel 

 them by its odor, as we know to be the case with the celebrated skunk of America, and 

 other animals. It may be, that this substance can be re-absorbed into the system, 

 and thus serve an important purpose ; but, whatever its use may be, it is clear that it 

 serves some worthy object, and that therefore the production of this secretion is deserv- 

 ing the attention of those who have the opportunity of making practical experiments. 



The claws of the Civet are only partially retractile. The eyes are of a dull brown, very 

 protuberant, and with a curiously changeable pupils, which by day exhibits a rather broad 

 linear pupil, and glows at night with a brilliant emerald refulgence. The body is 



