390 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



The Fossan (Viverra Fossa of Gm.) is very much assimilated 

 to the Common Genet, both in form and the disposition of 

 the colours of its fur. The ground colour is reddish-gray, 

 the upper part of the head is brown, mixed with red and 

 gray ; there is a pale yellowish-white spot above each eye ; 

 four brown bands pass from the neck to the middle of the 

 back ; a series of brown spots is continued from them to 

 the tail ; similar bands and spots are found on the posterior 

 part of the sides of the neck, shoulders, flanks, and outside 

 of the thighs ; the tail is semi-annulated. 



Others, marked with transverse bands on the upper part 

 of the body, have been designated as distinct species, but 

 with what propriety is a question that must be left to 

 future investigation. We have now before us no less than 

 seven original drawings of different individuals, all differing 

 very materially in external characters ; but in the present 

 state of knowledge of these animals, we really fear to in- 

 crease perplexity, rather than diminish it, by publishing 

 them, particularly as they cannot be accompanied with ver- 

 bal descriptions of minute examination. Passing over, 

 therefore, several that have been described as distinct, by 

 Gmelin, Buffon, Geoffroy St. Hilaire, Pallas, and Blain- 

 ville, we shall proceed to notice one very singularly 

 formed animal, which the Baron has placed, conditionally, 

 in this sub-division of the mammalia, and of which we 

 are enabled to give a figure. 



The extreme caution of the Baron, on the subject of 

 multiplying the genera and species, has, probably, induced 

 him to place this animal with the Genets; but it must be 

 remembered, that this classification is only conditional, 

 and probability strongly indicates that a more intimate 

 knowledge of the species will fully warrant its generic 

 separation. 



The animal in question is the Hy&na Genet (Viverra 

 Hyenoides, Cuvier). The specimens in the Parisian Mu- 



