268 



HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE GENET. 



(Vircrra Gcnetta, Linn, La Gencttc, Buff/ 



Is as much distinguished for the agreeable 

 perfume which it yields, as those we have just 

 described are for the rankest and most disagree- 

 able odour in nature. 



The body of the Genet is longer than that of the 

 Martin; its head is long and slender, with a sharp 

 muzzle; its ears are a little pointed; its hair soft, 

 smooth, and shining; of a tawny red colour, spotted 

 with black; along the ridge of the back there is a 

 kind of mane of long hair, which forms a black line 

 from head to tail; the spots on the sides are round 

 and distinct, those on the back almost close; its 

 tail is long, and marked with seven or eight rings 

 of black. From an orifice beneath its tail, it yields 

 a kind of perfume, which smells faintly of musk. 



It is found in Turkey, Syria, and Spain. We are 

 told by Belon, that he saw Genets in the houses at 

 Constantinople as tame as Cats; and that they 

 were useful to the inhabitants in destroying Rats, 

 Mice, and other vermin. 



