380 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



the primary meaning ; the others also relate chiefly 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 sub- 

 stances, perfumes, fyc, 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 endea- 

 voured to show 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 dis- 

 position : 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, resem- 

 bles the common domestic cat. The Rasse, on the contrary, 

 preserves in confinement the natural ferocity of its disposi- 

 tion undiminished. 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 propagating 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 animals of every description. It 

 possesses the sanguinary appetite of animals of this family 

 in a high degree ; and the structure of its teeth correspond 

 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 substance, the Dedes of the Javanese, or 

 Jibet of the Malays, is collected periodically ; the animal is 



