THE CIVET. 53 
fur. When young, the stripes are more apparent than in the adult age, and 
the little animal has something of a tigrine aspect about its face. 
In proportion to its size, the Hyzena 
possesses teeth and jaws of extraordi- 
nary strength, and between their tre- 
mendous fangs the thigh-bones of an 
ox fly in splinters with a savage crash 
that makes the spectator shudder. 
The muzzle is but short, and the 
rough thorn-studded tongue is used, 
like that of the feline groups, for rasp- 
ing every vestige of flesh from the 
bones of the prey. 
The SPOTTED HyNa, or TIGER 
WOLF, as it is generally called, is, for 
a Hyeena, a fierce and dangerous ani- 
mal, invading the sheepfolds and cattle- 
pens under the cover of darkness, and 
doing in one night more mischief than 
can be remedied in the course of years. 
The spots, or rather the blotches with which its fur is marked, are rather 
scanty upon the back and sides, but upon the legs are much more clearly 
marked, and are set closer together. The paws are nearly black. 
The Tiger Wolf is celebrated for the strange unearthly sounds which it 
utters when under the influence of strong excitement. The animal is otten 
called the “ Laughing Hyzna” on account of the maniacal, mirthless, hy- 
sterical laugh which it pours forth, accompanying these horrid sounds with 
the most absurd gestures of body and limbs. During the time that the 
creature is engaged in uttering these wild fearful peals of laughter, it dances 
about in a state of ludicrously frantic excitement, running backwards and 
forwards, rising on its hind legs, and rapidly gyrating on those members, 
nodding its head repeatedly to the ground ; and, in fine, performing the most 
singular antics with wonderful rapidity. 
STRIPED OR CRESTED HY/ENA. 
(Hyena striata.) 
CIVETS. 
The CIVET, sometimes, but wrongly, called the Civet Cat, is a native of 
Northern Africa, and is found plentifully in Abyssinia, where it is eagerly 
sought on account of the peculiarly scented substance which is secreted in 
certain glandular pouches. This 
Civet perfume was formerly consi- 
dered as a most valuable medicine, 
and could only be obtained at a very 
high price ; but in the present day it 
has nearly gone out of fashion as a 
drug, and holds its place in com- 
merce more as a simple perfume 
than as a costly panacea. 
The substance which is so prized : : 
on account of its odoriferous quali- civET.—(Viverra Civetia.) 
ties is secreted in a double pouch, 
which exists under the abdomen, close to the insertion of the tail. As this 
curious production is of some value in commerce, the animal which furnishes 
the precious secretion is too valuable to be killed for the sake of its scent- 
