THE MEXICAN WEESEL. 321 



snre owing, that the animals become excessively 

 ferocious. 



A Civet is kept at present in the Museum of Na- 

 tural History in Paris which has been there more 

 than five years. Its odour is at all times very pow- 

 erful, but unusually so whenever the animal is irritat- 

 ed. It sleeps with its body rolled round, and its head 

 between its legs. This posture it seldom changes 

 either in the night or day ; and it sleeps so soundly 

 that it cannot be roused without severe blows *. 



With respect to the civet procured from Am- 

 sterdam, it is less adulterated, and therefore held in 

 higher estimation, than that imported from India or 

 the Levant. Its average value in Holland is about 

 fifty shillings an ounce ; but this is subject to consi- 

 derable fluctuations. The substance is accounred. 

 best when new, of a whitish colour, a good con- 

 sistence, and of a strong disagreeable smell. — This 

 perfume is excessively powerful; but in small quan- 

 tities it is more pleasant than musk, to which it 

 bears some resemblance. 



THE MEXICAN- WEESEL"^. 



The Mexican Weesel is about two feet and a half 

 in length, with a long prehensile tail. The general 

 colour is an olive-yellow, mixed vvith grey-brown, 



* La Mena;jerie du Museum National fVHistoire Naturellc. 

 t Syno-nyms. — Vivcria prehensilis. Kerr. — Kinkajou. Buff'on.- 

 Quincajouou Carajou. Charlevoix. — Mexican Weesel. Pcnn. 



A'oL. I. Y 



