382 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



which we find nothing of the clearness and precision which 

 generally characterizes all the labours of this worthy coad- 

 jutor of Buffon. 



We shall not follow M. F. Cuvier (from whom the sub- , 

 stance of these observations is taken) in his very minute 

 account of the colours of the Zibeth, as we have already 

 sufficiently marked its distinction from the Civet, in treating 

 of this latter animal. Its musk-pouch, in most respects, is 

 similar to that of the Civet, and constitutes a genuine sac, 

 the bottom of which, divided into two parts, is terminated 

 by two collections of glands which secrete the odoriferous 

 matter. 



Few or no observations have been made on the natural 

 character of the Zibeth. It is a sleepy animal, which sees 

 badly during day-light ; and, like the Fox, forbears to pro- 

 vide for its necessities until the approach of twilight, or of 

 night. It preys upon the smaller mammalia, upon birds 

 and reptiles, and will occasionally eat the sweeter kind of 

 fruits. It is in general silent, but when irritated, it mani- 

 fests its anger by scolding and hissing, something like the 

 domestic cat, and bristling up the hairs along its back. 

 The animal on which these observations were made, was 

 brought from the Philippine Islands. Notwithstanding that 

 these countries have been so long discovered, they are as 

 yet but imperfectly known ; and it appears from the ac- 

 counts of travellers, especially of such as have recently 

 visited them, that few regions of the globe are better 

 adapted to enrich Natural History. Like all large and 

 isolated lands, such as Madagascar, New Holland, and 

 New Guinea, we might pronounce them to be the result 

 of a new creation. Most of their productions exhibit new 

 characters, and discover principles of existence before un- 

 known. Accordingly, naturalists who may explore them 

 will be certain to make numerous and important disco- 

 veries in every branch of zoological knowledge. 



