VIVERRA MUSANGA. 
limited to the number of five in each jaw : the three foremost in the upper jaw are 
corneal and rather short; the fourth is largest, and agrees with the description 
contained in the generic character ; the fifth is proportionally large, and formed for 
grinding. In the lower jaw, the three first are conical, the fourth corresponds to the 
fifth in other species, and the fifth is very large, and marked with three ridges of 
tubercles. The shortness and comparative breadth of all the molars indicate their being 
calculated chiefly for vegetable food. 
Of the various Indian species of Viverra, described in the Encyclope'die metho- 
dique, under the article Mammalogic, by M. A. G. Desmarest, the first part of which 
was published in 1820, the Viverra fasciata is most nearly allied to the Musanga ; the 
whitish extremity of the muzzle, of the band extending from the forehead over the 
eye through the ear, and the lines on the back and sides, are similar; but the body is of 
a yellowish colour, while the feet and the extremity of the tail are deep brown. The 
Viverra nigra, recently sent from India by Mr. Leschenault de Latour, has also 
various points of agreement with our species. 
The manners and habits of the Viverra Musanga are very similar to those of the 
Genet. If taken while young, it becomes patient and gentle during confinement, 
and receives readily animal and vegetable food. It requires little attention, and even 
contents itself with the scanty remains of the meals of the natives, with fish, eggs, 
rice, potatoes, &c. the structure of its teeth being particularly adapted to a vegetable 
diet. It prefers, however, delicate and pulpy fruits; but, when pressed by hunger, 
also attacks fowls and birds. 
It is most abundant near the villages situated at the confines of large forests. 
It constructs a simple nest in the manner of Squirrels, of dry leaves, grass, or small 
twigs, in the forks of large branches, or in the hollows of trees. From these it sallies 
forth at night to visit the sheds and hen-roosts of the natives, in search of eggs, 
chickens, &c. Its rambles are also particularly directed to the gardens and plantations, 
where fruits of every description within its reach, and particularly pine-apples, 
suffer extensively from its depredations. 
The coffee plantations in Java are greatly infested by the Viverra Musanga ; in 
some pails of the Island it has on this account obtained the name of Coffee-rat 
It devours the berries in large quantities, and its visits are soon discovered by parcels 
of seeds which it discharges unchanged. It selects only the ripest and most perfect 
fruits, and the seeds are eagerly collected by the natives, as the coffee is thus obtained 
without the tedious process of removing its membranaceous arillus. 
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