92 



MAilil.'iLIA. 



is D02: ]ikc, Ijut certainly not a Can/.';: its form and coluuriii;,^ (and there is reason to susitcct its internal 

 conformation), are rather those of a Hyaena; and it is known to copulate in the manner of those animals, and 

 not in the peculiar manner of the Dogs and Foxes. Even its dentition is the same as that elsewhere found, 

 {with one other exception, — Proieles,) thron)2;hout the g;roup to which we conceive the Hyoinas to belonj^, the 

 dental system of which latter appears to be modified in accordance with their much increased and prodig^ious 

 strength of jaw.] 



Thti; Civets [Vivcrra), — 

 Have throe false molars al)Ove and four below, the anterior of which sometimes fall out ; two tolerably 

 large tuberculous teeth aliove, one only )iclo\v, and two tubercles projeetin.c; forwards on the inner side 

 of the lower carnivorous tooth, the rest of that tooth bciii}^ tuberculous. The tongue is covered witlx 

 sharp and rough papjlhe. Their claws arc more or less raised as they walk; and near tlic anus is a 

 pouch more or less deep, where au unctuous and often odorous matter is secreted hy jjccuhar 

 glands. 



They divide into four subgenera. 



The True Civets (Jlvcrra, Cuv.), — 

 In which the poueb, large, and situate between the anus and the genitals, dividel also into two sacs, 

 is abundantly supplied with a pommade having a strong musky odour, secreted by glands which 

 sunound the pouch. This substance is an article of commerce, much used in perfumen". It was 

 more employed when musk and ambergris were little known. The pupil of the eye remains round 

 during the day^', and their claws are only semi-retractile. 



[Four species are known, from Africa and India: beautiful spotted animals, larger than a domestic Cat: they 



have an erectible mane along the back (as in the 

 Hyainas), more or less conspicuous ; are of an 

 indolent disposition, and easily tamed ; feed partly 

 on fruits; and when irritated raise the dorsal 

 mane, and hiss like Cats.] 



The Genets {Genetta, Cuv.), — 

 Have the ]iouch reduced to a slight depres- 

 sion furnufd by the projection of the glands, 

 with scarcrly any discernible secretion, al- 

 though diffusing a very perceptible odour. 

 In the light, their pupil forms a vertical 

 fissure ; and their claws are completely re- 

 tractile, as in the Cats. [They arc smaller and 

 more slender animals rhan the Civets, from 

 which tln^y scarcely differ iu style of colour- 

 ing : are also partly, liut less, fi'ugivorous, 

 and in general easdy tamed. 

 The species are numerous, and inhabit the same general lorality as the preceding. Ouq {riv. <)vn,:tla,\.m.)] is 



found from the south of France to the Cape of Good Hope. It frequents the edges of brooks, UL^ar springs, &:c., 



and its skin forms an important article of traffic. 



[TiiE Galet (Crijplojrrocia, Ben.") — 



Would appear, from its dentition, to be the most carnivorous of the Vlvcrrine quadrupeds; its jaws 

 arc much abbreviated, and there are only two false molars to each: cbius wholly retractile. 



The sjicrirs (('. A'rar, Um.) is Ml tie larger titan a Stoat, and unirormly brown, with large ears . an inhabitant of 

 Madagascar. Eiij'fcrci- (Joiirdan ?) would si'eni to lie allied. 



The Delundung {Prionoilon, llorsf.) — 



Is also allied to the Genets, but with the fal-e molars tbi'ec-lobed or serrated. 



Ff^/i' and subsequently Pr. 'jritcilh, tlorsf., is the only species; a rare Javanrii' animal, or blender foiTii, very 

 handsomely streaked and spotted.] 



Imliciitiiii; lliit Uicy i 



Ir)'. See tlie Cats f /■'(■//)' .—Ko. 



