VIVERRA MUSANGA. 



limited to the number of five in each jaw : the three foremost in the upper jaw are 

 conical and rather short; the fourth is largest, and agrees with the description 

 contained in the generic character ; the fifth is proportionally large, and formed for 

 grinding. In the lower jaw, the three first are conical, the fourth corresponds to the 

 fifth in other species, and the fifth is very large, and marked with three ridges of 

 tubercles. The shortness and comparative breadth of all the molars indicate their being 

 calculated chiefly for vegetable food. 



Of the various Indian species of Viverra, described in the Encyclopedic metho- 

 dique, under the article Mammalogie, by M. A. G. Desmarest, the first part of which 

 was published in 1820, the Viverra fasciata is most nearly allied to the Musanga ; the 

 whitish extremity of the muzzle, of the band extending from the forehead over the 

 eye through the ear, and the lines on the back and sides, are similar; bvit the body is of 

 a yellowish colour, while the feet and the extremity of the tail are deep brown. The 

 Viverra nigra, recently sent from India by Mr. Leschenault de Latour, has also 

 various points of agreement with our species. 



The manners and habits of the Viverra Musanga are very simUar to those of the 

 Genet. If taken while young, it becomes patient and gentle during confinement, 

 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 pulpy fruits ; but, when pressed by hunger, 

 also attacks fowls and birds. 



It is most abundant near the villages situated at the confines of large forests. 

 It constructs a simple nest in the manner of Squirrels, of dry leaves, grass, or small 

 twigs, in the forks of large branches, or in the hollows of trees. From these it salUes 

 forth at night to visit the sheds and hen-roosts of the natives, in search of eggs, 

 chickens, &c. Its rambles are also particularly directed to the gardens and plantations, 

 where fruits of every description within its reach, and particularly pine-apples, 

 suffer extensively from its depredations. 



The coffee plantations in Java are greatly infested by the Viverra Musanga ; in 

 some parts of the Island it has on this account obtained the name of Coffee-rat. 

 It devours the berries in large quantities, and its visits are soon discovered by parcels 

 of seeds which it discharges unchanged. It selects only the ripest and most perfect 

 fruits, and the seeds are eagerly collected by the natives, as the coffee is thus obtained 

 without the tedious process of removing its membranaceous arillus. 



