MAMMALIA. 487 
by the perfumers. It is less employed since musk has become known. The 
pupil is round during the daytime: the claws are semi-retractile. The 
species of this genus and the following are chiefly Asiatic and African ; a 
few are met with in the south of Europe. 
In the genus Genetta (the genets), the pouch is reduced to a slight 
depression, scarcely perceptible, although secreting and emitting an odor. 
In the daytime the pupil forms a vertical fissure ; ie nails are completely 
retractile, as in the cat. 
The genus Paradoxurus, with a » ibilteal resemblance to the genets, has 
the limbs stouter, and the feet semi-palmated. But what distinguishes it 
more particularly is the tail; when it is straight, as it is ever carried, it 
is nevertheless twisted from right to left towards its extremity. Only one 
species is known, and this inhabits the Kast Indies. 
The genus Herpestes contains an animal, the Jchneumon, well known by 
the ancients, and celebrated in Hgypt, where it was considered as sacred, 
and many fables attached to its history. It hunts chiefly for the eggs of 
the crocodile, and thus destroys a great many of these reptiles. It feeds 
also on all sorts of small animals. Other species are found near the Cope 
of Good Hope, and others in Asia. 
The genus Ryzena (suricate) is composed of two species from ‘vspiea 
Africa, resembling the ichneumon, but having only four toes to each foot. 
The genus BPassaris includes only one species (B. astuta), from Central 
America, Mexico, and Texas. In the latter country it is called civet cat. 
The head is short and pointed; the ears long and oblong; the tail as long 
asthe body. The sole of the feet is hairy. 
The family of Viverridz was represented in the tertiary fauna by several 
species belonging to the genera Viverra and Genetta, and one to the genus 
Herpestes, all of which have inhabited Europe. Other fragments yet unde- 
scribed seem to indicate that this family has existed in the East Indies and 
New Holland. No living species exist in our days in Australia. 
Fam. 38. CaAnrip#. The snout is elongated and naked. The ears are 
moderately large, and the tail mostly bushy. The fore feet with five, the 
hind feet with four retractile claws. They frequently feed on carrion. 
The dogs, wolves, and foxes belong to this family, of which several species 
are found in North America. 
The fossil Canidz are numerous, especially those species belonging to the 
great genus Canis, of which ome twenty species have been described. 
Some of them were undoubtedly wolves and foxes as well as dogs, and 
inhabited not only the European continent, but also Asia and Breda. 
Several extinct genera have been noticed, as rere 
The genus Speothos is nearly related to the dogs; the teeth are nearer 
each other, and the snout less elongated. A single species is known, from 
the Brazilian caverns. 
The genus Palwocyon, from the same locality, seems to bear greater 
affinities with the C. jubatus, still living in Brazil, than with any other of 
the same group. ‘T'wo species were discovered. 
The genus Hycnodon, with a certain resemblance to Hysna, is, how- 
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