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CHARACTERS OF VERTEBRATE ANIMALS 



(2) Mangoustis are smaller than civets, and somewhat weasel- 

 like in appearance. The long toes are provided with non-retractile 

 claws, and the animal does not walk in the same tiptoe fashion as 

 the cats or civets. Most of the species . are African, but some 



Fig. 57. — The Indian Civet-Cat {Viverra zibethd) 



are characteristic of South Asia, and one ranges into Europe. A 

 common type is the Egyptian Ichneumon {Herpesies ichneumon), 

 venerated by the ancient Egyptians probably on account of the 

 services rendered by it in the destruction of snakes and the eggs 

 of the crocodile. All sorts of wonderful stories were once current 



