VlVEURlD.E.- 



-MAMMALIA.- 



-VlVERRID.E. 



99 



provided with short limbs, the feet being semi-palmate, 

 plantigrade, and pentadactylous. The claws are 

 slightly retractile. The odoriferous secreting pouch is 

 represented by a superficial granjular space, placed a 

 little below the anal opening. The tail is as long as 

 the body, cylindrical, slightly flattened from above 

 downwards, an 1 non-prehensile ; in the example de- 

 scribed by F. Cuvier it was found spirally folded upon 

 itself, as in the figure here given. The fur of the 

 pougonne has a more or less brownish tint generally, 

 being marked on the back and sides with darker patches 

 of the same colour, somewhat irregularly disposed. Its 

 habits correspond with those of the species of this family 

 whose food is of a mixed character. 



THE COMMON GENET (Genetia vuhjaris), is an 

 inhabitant of the south of France, of Spain, and of the 

 African continent throughout its entire length and 

 breadth. It is generally found in the low grounds, 

 near the edges of rivers, or in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood of springs. The Genet very much resembles 

 an ordinary cat, and in the domesticated condition forms 

 a very good substitute, catching and killing mice with 

 equal skill. The various members of the genus Genetta 

 are distinguished by their 

 vertically slit pupils, and by 

 their completely retractile 

 claws, in which respect they 

 approximate very cloeely to 

 the Felidre. The odori- 

 ferous anal pouches are re- 

 duced to a mere depression 

 in the skin, the amount of the 

 secretion being correspond- 

 ingly deficient; nevertheless 

 quite enough to produce a 

 very perceptible odour. Tlie 

 Genets are smaller than the 

 true civets, and less frugivor- 

 ous in their habits. The fur 

 of the species under con- 

 sideration is more or less 

 greyish and spotted, with 

 conspicuous oval, oblong, or 

 rounded patches of a brown- 

 isli-black colour, the cheeks 

 and sides of the muzzle being 

 covered with white markings. 



The tail is beautifully annulated witn upwards of twenty 

 alternating white and black bands. It is as long as the 

 body, and tapers very gently towards the tip, where 

 it is also clothed with long coarse hair. Its dental 

 arrangement is precisely similar to that of the civets, 

 properly so called. 



THE LITWAK ( Viverra, musanga), is a well-marked 

 furni, although it resembles the genet in size and many 

 otiier particulars. The head is broad behind, ending 

 anteriorly iu a sharply pointed muzzle. The jaws are 

 furnished with twenty molar teeth, which are com- 

 jiaratively short and broad. The body is about 

 twenty-two inches long, exclusive of the tail, which 

 would give us another foot and a half. The general 

 colour of the fur is that of a deep tawny-brown ; the 

 head, central line of the back, tail, and outer sides of 



the limbs being almost black. A whitish-grey band 

 passes backwards from the eye, gradually increasing iu 

 breadth until it arrives at the centre of the neck. 

 The pupils of the eyes are rounded. The limbs are 

 robust, terminating in pentadactylous feet, armed with 

 large, strong, semi-retractile claws. In regard to the 

 habits of the Luwak, Dr. Horsfield states that they are 

 " very similar to those of the genet. If taken while 

 young, it becomes patient and gentle during confine- 

 ment, and receives readily animal and vegetable food. 

 It requires little attention, and even contents itself 

 with the scanty remains of the meals of the natives, 

 with fish, eggs, rice, potatoes, &c., the structure of its 

 teeth being particularly adapted to a vegetable diet. 

 It prefers, however, delicate and puljty fruits, but 

 when pressed by hunger, also attacks fowls and birds." 

 The Luwak, we are told, causes terrible damage to the 

 cotfee plantations, devouring the berries with excessive 

 greediness. On this account some have called it the 

 " cofl'ee rat." Only the arillus and external coverings of 

 the berry are consumed, the seed itself passing tlirougli 

 the animal unaftected by the digestive powers of the 

 animal's stomach. The Luwak is pretty widely dis- 



Fig. 28. 



The Rasse (Viyevra Easse). 



tributed, being found in Sumatra, Java, the Malayan 

 peninsula, and in most of the adjacent islands of the 

 Indian archipelago. 



THE RASSE {Viverra Rasse), is a remarkably hand- 

 some creature, and is readily distinguished from its con- 

 geners by its elongated form, delicate build, and elegant 

 colouring (fig. 28). It is also a native of Java and the 

 adjoining isles. The length of the body is nearly two 

 feet, not including the tail, which would give us another 

 twelve inches. The head is cuneiform, compressed 

 sideways, terminating anteriorly in a very attenuated 

 muzzle. The ears are particularly broad at the base, 

 closely approximating to each other on the crown of 

 the head. The eyes are dark-coloured. The whiskers 

 are few in number, but of considerable length. The 

 limbs are of moderate size, and terminate in digitigrado 



