68 



THE MAMMALS OF ETHIOPIAN AFRICA 



are as markedly different. This conclusion is largely based on the fact that in 

 the former group the hyoid apparatus of the tongue is intimately connected 

 with the skull, and that these animals purr instead of roaring. In the second 

 group, on the contrary, the hyoid is suspended to the skull by means of a pair 

 of long elastic cartilages, and this structure is connected with the power of roaring. 

 The partial retractility of the claws of the chita is regarded as an adaptive feature 

 connected with speed, for which this animal is specially built. It may be 

 mentioned that in India the name chita (meaning spotted) is applied indifferently 

 to the leopard and to Cyncelwrus jubatus, for which reason " hunting-leopard " is 

 a preferable designation for the latter. 







**£**& 



KAFIR CAT. 



Civet Tribe. 



The civet tribe, or Viverridce, is very largely represented in 

 Ethiopian Africa ; the largest .species being the African civet-cat 

 (Viverra civetta), which inhabits the tropics, and ranges southwards intoMashonaland 

 and the Transvaal. In colour it is yellowish grey, marked with black ; the cheeks, 

 throat, and legs are black, the black of the two former being relieved by a broad 

 collar of white. Along the back of the males runs an upright black crest or mane. 

 In habits this civet is as nocturnal as the rest of its tribe. There are also several 

 kinds of genets, although the distinctive features of the various species or races 

 are difficult to describe. A common species is the blotched genet (Genetta tigrina) ; 

 and very distinct is the large and handsomely coloured G. victorice of the Uganda 

 Protectorate. 



The African linsang (Poiana poensis) is a western species, from Sierra Leone 

 and Fernando Po, which represents in Africa the true linsangs of the Malay 



