416 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



The nails of Cats, the teeth of Civets, and the very 

 singular manner of twisting its tail, have induced MM. 

 Cuvier to apply to this animal and its congeners, the gene- 

 ric epithet of Paradoxurus. 



The Musang, Viverra Musanga of Dr. Horsfield, is iden- 

 tified by the Baron with the species last described; the 

 Doctor, however, informs us that it is subject to several 

 varieties, and that in the most common variety of Java, the 

 Viverra Musanga is of a much lighter grayish colour. 



Of its manners and habits, Doctor Horsfield says, that 

 they are very similar to those of the Genet. If taken while 

 young, it becomes patient and gentle during confinement, 

 and receives readily animal and vegetable food. It requires 

 little attention, and even contents itself with the scanty re- 

 mains of the meals of the natives, with fish, eggs, rice, 

 potatoes, 8fc. It prefers, however, delicate and pulpy 

 fruits ; but when pressed by hunger, also attacks fowls and 

 birds. 



It is most abundant near the villages situated at the con- 

 fines of large forests. It constructs a simple nest in the 

 manner of Squirrels, of dry leaves, grass, or small twigs, in 

 the forks of large branches, or in the hollow of trees. From 

 these it sallies forth, at night, to visit the sheds and hen- 

 roosts of the natives, in search of eggs, chickens, fyc. Its 

 rambles are also particularly directed to the gardens and 

 plantations, where fruits of every description, within its 

 reach, and particularly pine-apples, suffer extensively from 

 its depredations. 



The coffee plantations, in Java, are greatly infested by 

 the Viverra Musanga ; in some parts of the island it has, on 

 this account, obtained the name of the Coffee-Rat. It devours 

 the berries in large quantities, and its visits are soon dis- 

 covered by parcels of seeds, which it discharges unchanged. 

 It selects only the ripest and most perfect fruits, and the 



