VIVERRA RASSE. 



to the senses, or to emotions that arise from them ; fluids or juices are comprised 

 among its meanings, and many applications of the word Rasa and its compounds, 

 to odoriferous substances, perfumes, &c. might be adduced. 



The Viverra Rasse supplies in Java, the place which the Viverra Civetta holds 

 in Africa, and the Viverra Zibetha on the Asiatic continent, from Arabia to Malabar, 

 and in the large Islands of the Indian Archipelago. I have endeavovired to shew 

 that, by its form and marks, it is essentially distinct from the Viverra Zibetha; and 

 it differs as much in its natural disposition as in external characters. The Viverra 

 Zibetha is an animal comparatively of a mild disposition ; it is often found among 

 the Arabs and Malays, which inhabit the maritime parts of Borneo, Macassar, and 

 other Islands, in a state of partial domestication, and, by the account of the natives, 

 becomes reconciled to its confinement, and in habits, and degree of tameness, 

 resembles the common domestic cat. The Rasse, on the contrary, preserves in con- 

 finement the natural ferocity of its disposition vmdiminished. As the perfume is 

 greatly valued by the natives, it is frequently kept in cages ; but as far as I have 

 observed, must always be obtained for this purpose from a wild state, never propa- 

 gating in a state of confinement. 



The Rasse is not unfrequently found in Java, in forests of a moderate elevation 

 above the level of the ocean. Here it preys on small birds and aniznals of every 

 description. It possesses the sanguinary appetite of animals of this family in a high 

 degree; and the structure of its teeth corresponds strictly with the habits and modes 

 of life. In confinement it will devour a mixed diet, and is fed on eggs, fish, flesh, 

 and rice. Salt is reported by the natives to be a poison to it. The odoriferous sub- 

 stance, the dedes of the Javanese, or jibet of the Malays, is coUected periodically ; 

 the animal is placed in a narrow cage, in which the head and anterior extremities 

 are confined : the posterior parts are then easily secured, while the civet is removed 

 with a simple spatula. 



The substance obtained from the Rasse agrees with the civet afforded by the 

 Viverra Civetta and Zibetha, in colour, consistence, and odour. It is a very favourite 

 perfume among the Javanese, and applied both to their dresses, and by means of 

 various unguents and mixtures of flowers, to their persons. Even the apartments 

 and the furniture of the natives of rank are generally scented with it to such a 

 degree as to be offensive to Europeans ; and at their feasts and public processions the 

 air is widely filled with this odour. 



