SlS THE CIVET, 



J)urpo5e of defending it from the stings of these in- 

 sects ? 



Those Bees'-nests that are built in trees, are in 

 no danger whatever from the Katel. In the first 

 transports of his rage at liaving sought after these 

 Bees in vain, he gnaws and bites the trunks of the 

 trees ; and these bites are sure marks for the inhabi- 

 tants of the country, that a Bees'-nest is to be found 

 tlierc. I should myself, says Dr. Sparrman, have 

 entertained many doubts concerning these proper- 

 ties attributed to the Ratcl, had I not obtained va- 

 rious accounts of this curious animal^, exactly cor- 

 responding with each other, from many experienced 

 farmers and Hottentots living in different parts of 

 the Cape of Good Hope *. 



THE CIAET ^. 



Tlie Civet is somcvv^hat more than two feet long, 

 and has a tail about half the length of its body. The 

 ground colour is yellowish ash-grey, beautifully 

 marked with large blackish or dusky spots. The 

 hair is coarse ; and, along the back, stands up, so as 

 to form a sort of mane. Tiie body is thickish ; and 

 the nose sharp, and black at the tip. Three black 

 stripes proceed from each ear, and end at the throat 

 and shoulders. The eyes shine in the dark. It is 

 an inhabitant of several parts of" Africa and India; 

 and will not breed in more temperate regions, though 



* Spavrman's Voyage. 

 t Synonyms. — Vivcrra Civctta. Linn, — Civet Cat. Far. — Civette. 

 Bujfan 'ii/ur,v\- Gen. Zool.pL 9^?- Bcxc. Suad. 2H. 



