402 
FOSSANE. 
black spots : the nose cleejD brown ; the taij ta^niy, 
shghtly annulatec] with black; the face, chin, and 
under side of the neck, cinereous, and a dark line 
runs up the forehead. 
FOSSANE. 
Viverra Fossa. V. cauda annulata, corpore cinereo mgro macu- 
lato. Ian. Syst. Nat. Gmel. J), gi. 
Ash-coloured W. spotted with black, and with annulated tail. 
Fossane. Bvff- ^S-P- 163. pi. 20. 
Fossane Weesel. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 75. 
The Fossane appears to be so nearly allied to 
the Genet, that it might almost pass for a va- 
riety of that animal. Its colours, however, are 
somewhat bolder or more contrasted than in the 
Genet, and the rows of spots along the sides still 
more regularly disposed. Beneath and above 
each eye is commonly a white patch ; and from 
the hind parts of the head towards the back and 
shoulders run four black lines. The whole under 
side of the body is of a dingy white: the tail is an- 
nulated with black and white. This animal is a 
native of Madagascar, Guinea, Bengal, Cochin- 
china, and the Philippine islands. It is said to 
be possessed of considerable fierceness, and to be 
difficultly tamed. In destroys poultry in the man- 
ner of the common Weesel. When young it is 
said to be good food. Its size is that of the Ge- 
net. 
