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THE LUWACK, OR PARADOXURE. 



THE ANIMALS which compose the little group of Paradoxures are very closely 

 allied to the Pagumas and the Ichneumons, and appear to be confined to the Asiatic 

 continent and its islands. The little group of animals to which the Luwack belongs 

 was arranged by Cuvier under the generic title of Paradoxurus, literally, Puzzle-tail, 

 because they have a curious habit of twisting their tails into a tight coil, and in their 

 cat-like claws, and their civet-like teeth, present a strange mixture of characteris- 

 tics. 



The LUWACK, or common Paradoxure, is found plentifully in India, from whence 

 many specimens have been brought to this country. As it has something of the viver- 

 rine look about it, Buffon and other naturalists placed it with the Genetts. It is a 

 curious little creature, rather quick in its movements, and very inquisitive in its aspect, 

 holding its head aside with an air of curiosity that is quite amusing. The eyes of this 

 creature are very small and nearly black. 



LUWACK, OR PARADOXURE. -Paradoxurus Typus. 



As the Luwack is tolerably widely spread, it is known by various names, according 

 to the locality in which it lives. Its Malabar appellation is Pounougar-Poune, a term 

 which signifies " Civet Cat." The general tint of the fur is a yellowish black, but it 

 assumes various hues according to the light in which it is viewed. On each side of 

 the spine run three rows of elongated spots, and upon the thighs and shoulders other 

 spots are scattered. But if the animal is viewed in certain lights, the spots on the 

 body seem to be merged into lines, while those on the breast disappear, altogether. 

 This change of appearance is caused by the mode in which the hairs are colored, each 

 hair being tipped with a darker hue, and some hairs being totally black. These latter 

 hairs are very silken in texture, and much longer than the yellowish hairs of which the 

 fur is mostly composed. 



The Luwack, as are all the Paradoxures, is entirely plantigrade. Its feet are fur- 

 nished with sharp claws, which are sufficiently retractile to be kept from the ground 

 when the animal walks, and are preserved so sharp, that they can be used for tree- 

 climbing with the greatest ease. Its tail is very remarkable on account of the tight 

 spiral into which it is frequently rolled, and seems to be unlike the tail of any other 

 animals. Although it can be so firmly curled, it is not prehensile, as might be sup 

 posed from its aspect when half unrolled. 



