THE ICHNEUMON. THE CIVET. THE GENET. 



Ichneumons 



Few animals are more useful than the Ichneumon. Snakes, lizards, crocodiles' eggs, or even young 

 crocodiles themselves, form their principal food. The Egyptian Ichneumon, or Pharaoh's Rat, as it is 

 sometimes called, is a native of North Africa, and is often domesticated for the purpose of destroying the 

 various snakes, and other reptile annoyances, which are such a pest in the houses of hot countries. 



The Civets are active little animals, averaging about two feet in length. The whole group is celebrated 

 for the perfume which is secreted in a glandular pouch near the tail, and is of some importance in com- 

 merce. The Civet is only found in North Africa, especially in Abyssinia, where it takes up its abode on 

 uncultivated and barren hills. It feeds upon birds and the smaller quadrupeds, which it takes by surprise. 

 As it pursues its prey by night only, its eyes are formed for seeing in the dark. 



The Genet slightly resembles the cat, particularly in its spots, and the power of climbing trees. It 

 inhabits Africa, and is not unfrequently found in the South of France. 



The Zibet, found in the East Indies, is of the same genus as the Civet, and produces a similar perfume. 



(<X) 



A Genet. 



The Zibet. 



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