HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 245 



of collec~ting this valuable perfume. The civet procured 

 at Amfterdam is more efteemed than that which comes 

 from the Levant or India, being lefs adulterated. — To 

 collecl: this perfume, the Civet is put into a cage, fo nar- 

 row, that it cannot turn itfelf : The cage is opened at 

 one end, and the animal drawn backward by the tail, 

 and fecurely held by its hind legs : A fmall fpoon is then 

 introduced into the pouch which contains the perfume, 

 with which it is carefully fcraped, arid the matter put in- 

 to a velTel properly fecured. This operation is perform- 

 ed two or three times a week. 



The quantity of odorous humour depends much on the 

 quality of the nourifhment, and the appetite of the ani- 

 mal, which always produces more in proportion to the 

 goodnefs of its food. Boiled flefh, eggs, rice, fmall ani- 

 mals, birds, and particularly fiih, are the kinds of food 

 the Civet moftly delights in ; and thefe ought to be va- 

 ried, fo as to excite its appetite, and preferve its health. 

 It requires very little water ; and, though it drinks fel- 

 dom, it discharges its urine frequently. It is fomewhat 

 remarkable, that in this operation the male is not to be 

 diflinguilhed from the female. — From this circumftance, 

 it has been fuppofed, that this was the Hyena of the an- 

 cients ; and it is certain, that moft of the fables related 

 concerning that monfter are in a certain way applicable 

 to the Civet. 



The ancients were well acquainted with the pomatum 

 of the Civet, and afcribed to it certain powers of exciting 

 love ; for which purpofe it ftill conftitutes one of the 

 luxuries of the Earl, 



What has been fabuloufly related concerning the un- 

 certainty of fex in the Hyena, applies much more ftrong- 



Q.3 



