188 



THE CACOMIXLE. 



each side of the face is a bold black patch. The hinder legs are quite black at the ankle 

 joint. 



These a ni mals are very susceptible of domestication, and in various Eastern districts are 

 as familiar inhabitants of the house as the domestic cat. Like the house cat, the Genett 

 signalizes itself in the destructive wars which it wages against rats and mice, being especially 

 fitted for such a pursuit by its active limbs and lithe form. The Genetts seem, when wild, 

 to prefer the low grounds in the vicinity of rivers to the higher forest lands, and are there 

 captured. 



They are not nearly so large as the civet, being only five inches in height at the shoulder, 

 and about twenty inches in total length. The eye is of a light brown color, and rather pro- 

 tuberant. The young of the Pale Genett has 

 the spots of a light chestnut instead of the 

 deep blackish-brown of the adult animal. 



The Amer Genett, an inhabitant of Abys- 

 sinia, is a boldly and handsomely marked crea- 

 ture. The general color of its fur is a darkish 

 yellow gray, on which are placed a number of 

 well-defined dark spots. These markings run 

 in fine regular lines, being larger nearing the 

 spine, and becoming smaller as they recede 

 therefrom. The tail is boldly and equally 

 covered with rings of the same dark fur as 

 that of the spots on the body. 



Very different from the Genetts in its 

 appearance is the Cacomixle,* although it is 

 closely allied to them. 



It is remarkable as being a Mexican rep- 

 resentative of the Genett group of animals, 

 although it can hardly be considered as a true 

 Genett or a true Mungous. The color of this 

 animal is a light uniform dun, a dark bar being 

 placed like a collar over the back of the neck. 

 In some specimens this bar is double, and in 

 all it is so narrow that when the animal throws 

 its head backwards the dark line is lost in the 

 lighter fur. Along the back runs a broad, sin- 

 gular, darkish stripe. The tail is ringed something bike that of the Einged Lemur, and is 

 very full. The term Cacomixle is a Mexican word, and the animal is sometimes called by a 

 still stranger name, "Tepemaxthalon." The scientific title "Bassaris" is from the Greek, 

 and signifies a fox. 



CACOMIXLE.— Bassaris astuta. 



* Note by the Editor. — The Cacomixle during several years after its discovery was erroneously placed in the system 

 of nature. Its resemblance to individuals of the group of Civets led to its being regarded as allied to them. As there 

 are no other animals of this family in America, it was regarded as singularly unique. Late examination of its anatomy 

 has led to its recognition as a member of the Raccoon family, an American race. Its general appearance is quite like 

 that of the common Raccoon ; indeed, the Mexican non-scientific people have been wiser than our naturalists, for they call 

 it the Ring-tailed Raccoon. In California and Mexico it is tamed by the miners and ranchmen, and it in most respects 

 becomes as domesticated as a house cat. It is by them called the Mountain Cat. It is an efficient mouser ; is very playful, 

 and seems to have a choice for the abode of man. It is nocturnal in habit, and produces three young at a birth. The food of 

 the Bassaris is much the same as that of the Raccoons : small animals, insects, nuts, etc. It finds a home in holes of trees, 

 especially in the Pecan tree, where it finds abundance of food in its nuts, and has an especial fondness in remaining on or 

 about one tree. Like some other bright creatures, it selects a rotten knot on the under side of a limb for its nest, thereby 

 finding security from rain, 



