2 JO HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE CIVET. 



(Viverra Zibetha, Linn. La Civctte, Buff.) 



Is larger than the Genet, and yields a perfume in 

 much greater quantities, and of a stronger quality. 



Though originally a native of the warm climates 

 of Africa or Asia, it can live in temperate, and 

 even in cold countries; but it must be fed with 

 nourishing diet, and carefully defended against the 

 severities of the weather. 



Numbers of them are kept in Holland, for the 

 purpose of collecting this valuable perfume. The 

 Civet procured at Amsterdam is more esteemed 

 than that which comes from the Levant, or India, 

 being less adulterated. To collect this perfume, 

 the Civet is put into a cage, so narrow, that it 

 cannot turn itself: the cage is opened at one end, 

 and the animal drawn backwards by the tail, and 

 securely held by its hind legs: a small spoon is 

 then introduced into the pouch which contains the 

 perfume, with which it is carefully scraped, and 

 the matter put into a vessel properly secured. This 

 operation is performed two or three times a week. 



