184 THE ZIBETH. 



curious production is of some value in commerce, the animal which furnishes the precious 

 secretion is too valuable to be killed for the sake of its scent-pouch, and is kept in a state 

 of captivity, so as to afford a continual supply of the odoriferous material. 



The mode by which the Civet perfume is removed from the animal is very ingenious. 

 The animals which belong to this group are very quick and active in their movements, and, 

 being furnished with sharp teeth and strong jaws, are dangerous beasts to handle. As may be 

 imagined, the Civet resents the rough treatment that must be used in order to effect the desired 

 purpose, and snaps and twists about with such lithe and elastic vigor that no one could 

 venture to lay a hand on it without sufficient precaution. So, when the time arrives for the 

 removal of the perfume, the Civet is put into a long and very narrow cage, so that it cannot 

 turn itself round. A bone or horn spoon is then introduced through an opening, and the 

 odoriferous secretion is scraped from its pouch with perfect impunity. This end achieved, 

 the plundered animal is released from its strait durance, and is permitted a respite until the 

 supply of perfume shall be re-formed. 



As the Civet might be inconvenienced by the continual secretion of this substance, Nature 

 supplies a simple remedy, and the perfume falls from the pouch in pieces about the size of an 

 ordinary nut. The interior of each half of the pouch is sufficiently capacious to hold a large 

 almond. As the civet is formed, it is pressed through very small orifices into the pouch, so 

 that if it is examined before it has merged itself into a uniform mass, it is something like fine 

 vermicelli in appearance. The interior of the pouch is thickly coated with fine hairs, and 

 entirely covered with the minute orifices or pores through which the perfume exudes. The 

 creature is able to compress the pouch at will. 



The Civet seems to be a very sleepy animal, especially during the daytime, and to be with 

 difficulty aroused from its somnolence. 



While it remains in the pouch, the "civet" is rather thick and unctuous, something like 

 butter in texture. 



The use which this curious secretion subserves in the economy of the creature is very 

 dubious. It is not sufficiently liquid to be ejected against its pursuers, and so to repel them 

 by its odor, as we know to be the case with the celebrated skunk of America, and other 

 animals. It may be, that this substance can be re-absorbed into the system, and thus serve an 

 important purpose ; but whatever its use may be, it is clear that it serves some worthy object, 

 and that therefore the production of this secretion is deserving the attention of those who have 

 the opportunity of making practical experiments. 



The claws of the Civet are only partially retractile. The eyes are of a dull brown, very 

 protuberant, and with a curiously changeable pupil, which by day exhibits a rather broad 

 lineal- pupil, and glows at night with a brilliant emerald refulgence. The body is curiously 

 shaped, being considerably flattened on the sides, as if the animal had been pressed between 

 two boards. 



Altogether, the Civet is a very handsome animal, the bold dashing of black and white 

 upon its fur having a very rich effect. The face has a curious appearance, owing to the white 

 fur which fringes the lips, and the long pure white whisker hairs of the lips, and eyes. When 

 young, it is almost wholly black, with the exception of the white whisker hairs and the white 

 fur of the lips. It seems to be an irritable animal, and, when angered, vents its indignation 

 by fierce growls. 



Upon the Asiatic continent, and its islands, the place of the civet is taken by several of the 

 Viverrine tribe, one of which, the Zibetii, bears a close resemblance to its African relative. 



The Zibeth is a native of many parts of Asia,. being found in China, India, the Philippines, 

 Nepal, and other localities. It may be distinguished from the civet by the greater amount of 

 white which is found in the fur, especially about the neck and throat, by the shorter hair, 

 and by the greater number of dark rings upon the tail. The tail of the Zibeth is not so largely 

 marked with black at its extremity as that of the civet. The mane or crest which runs along 

 the back is comparatively small. The spots which mark the body are rather indistinctly out- 

 lined, and the general tint of the fur seems to be paler than that of the civet. 



