CIVETS. 451 
The civets are further characterised by their long and flattened bodies ; narrow 
and elongated heads; short limbs; small and rounded feet, each furnished with five 
toes, of which the claws are partially retractile; and the hairy soles of the feet 
(exclusive of the pads). With the exception of one species, the back has a crest of 
long hairs, which can be erected at will; the neck is marked by a black gorget; 
and the tail, which is of considerable length, is variegated by alternate dark and 
light rings. The whole of the fur is long and rough-looking, and thus presents a 
marked contrast to the sleek pelage of most of the cats. The civets all walk on the 
very tips of their toes. In addition to the above, all these animals are characterised 
by the great development of certain glands situated in the abdomen which secrete 
the well-known perfume which gives the name to the group. There are altogether 
HAN Wie 
THE CIVET (} nat size) 
six species of true civets, of which five are Asiatic while one is African ; one of the 
Asiatic species being smaller than all the others, from which it also differs by the 
absence of the crest of erectile hairs on the back. From this and other structural 
differences, this small civet is frequently referred to a distinct genus. Like the 
majority of the family, the true civets are nocturnal, and to a great extent solitary 
animals; and apparently some of them cannot climb. They are commonly known 
as civet-cats. 
The African civet (Viverra civetta), which is one of the larger 
members of the genus, inhabits the tropical portions of Africa; and is 
of a brownish-grey ground colour, marked with interrupted dark streaks, or blotches, 
over the whole body. The tail is dark-coloured, with the rings very indistinct in 
the terminal portion. Little is recorded of its habits in the wild state; but these 
are probably similar to those of the next species. This civet, together with other 
species belonging to the same genus, and likewise some of other genera, is kept in 
African Civet. 
