NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



107 



COMMON GENET. 



The Bay Lynx, Red Lynx, or Wild Cat, (Lynx rufus), is 

 the smallest of American Lynxes, and it is the one that in- 

 habits the United States eastward of the great plains. Until 

 further notice, this species will be found in the Small-Mam- 

 mal House. It may have a few dark spots, or none at all. 

 Its color varies so greatly that it is at times impossible to 

 determine where this species leaves off, and the more heavily 

 spotted subspecies of the southwest takes its place. The 

 latter is known as the Spotted Lynx, (L. r. maculatus) . 



The large and important group of Viverrines, or long- 

 faced cat-like carnivores of the East Indies, (Family Viver- 

 ridae), is well represented. It is the true Civets which fur- 

 nish — some of them — the evil-smelling civet of commerce — ■ 

 an odor which we would gladly do without. The Common 

 Civet-Cat, (Viverra zibetha), is the best known member of 

 this Family, and it is easily recognized by its large size, 

 heavily-spotted body and ring-streaked tail. It is common 

 throughout the Malay Peninsula, and in many other portions 

 of the Malay Archipelago. The larger Malayan Civet-Cat, 

 (V. malaccensis), strongly resembles its understudy, but its 

 black spots and blotches are larger and more intense, and in 

 form it is much more robust. 



The large and handsome White-Whiskered Paradoxure, 

 (Paradoxurus leucomystax), has been in the Park about six 

 years, and to-day it coughs and snarls at the visitor just as 

 it did in the beginning. It is a smooth-coated creature, 



