VIVERRA 



405 



more like that of the Felidae than of the Viverridae, and the 

 teeth are more Feline in structure. The claws of the feet are 

 retractile. As to internal structure the Fossa agrees largely 

 with the Viverridae, but then this family has no very marked 

 points of difference from the Felidae ; but where the anatomy 

 does diverge from that of the Felidae it approaches the Viverridae, 

 especially in the muscular system. 



Fig. 199.— Fossa. Oryptoprocta ferox. xj. 



The remaining and by far the larger number of genera of 

 Civets are grouped by Professor Mivart in two sub - families : 

 the ViVEREiNAE, including the genera Viverra, Vive7-ricula, 

 Fossa, Genetta, rrionoclon, Poiana, Paradoxurus, Arctogale, 

 Hemigale, Arctictis, Nandinia, and Cynogcde ; and the Heepes- 

 TINAE, including the genera Herpestes, Helogcde, Cynictis, and 

 probably Bdeogah, and Bhynclwgcde. In the Viverrinae the 

 dio-its are always five, the claws are more or less retractile, the 

 prescrotal scent glands are usually present, and the anus does 

 not open into a sac. On the other hand, the Herpestinae are 

 characterised by the non-retractility of the claws, the absence of 

 the glands in question, and the fact that the anus does open into 

 a terminal sac. 



Sub-Fam. 4. Viverrinae. — Viverra includes the true Civets. 

 The genus, save for one African species, is Oriental in range. 

 The molar formula is the complete one for the A'iverridae, viz. 



