VIVERRA RASSE. 
to the senses, or to emotions that arise from them ; fluids or juices are comprised 
among its meanings, and many applications of the word Rasa and its compounds, 
to odoriferous substances, perfumes, &c. might be adduced. 
The Viverra Rasse supplies in Java, the place which the Vivcrra Civetta holds 
in Africa, and the Viverra Zibetha on the Asiatic continent, from Arabia to Malabar, 
and in the large Islands of the Indian Archipelago. I have endeavoiired to shew 
that, by its form and marks, it is essentially distinct from the Viverra Zibetha; and 
it differs as much in its natural disposition as in external characters. The Viverra 
Zibetha is an animal comparatively of a mild disposition ; it is often found among 
the Arabs and Malays, which inhabit the maritime parts of Borneo, Macassar, and 
other Islands, in a state of partial domestication, and, by the account of the natives, 
becomes reconciled to its confinement, and in habits, and degree of tameness, 
resembles the common domestic cat. The Rasse, on the contrary, preserves in con- 
finement the natural ferocity of its disposition undiminished. As the perfume is 
greatly valued by the natives, it is frequently kept in cages ; but as far as I have 
observed, must always be obtained for this purpose from a wild state, never propa- 
gating in a state of confinement. 
The Rasse is not unfrequently found in Java, in forests of a moderate elevation 
above the level of the ocean. Here it preys on small birds and animals of every 
description. It possesses the sanguinary appetite of animals of this family in a high 
degree ; and the structure of its teeth corresponds strictly with the habits and modes 
of life. In confinement it will devour a mixed diet, and is fed on eggs, fish, flesh, 
and rice. Salt is reported by the natives to be a poison to it. The odoriferous sub- 
stance, the dedes of the Javanese, or jibet of the Malays, is collected periodically ; 
the animal is placed in a narrow cage, in which the head and anterior extremities 
are confined : the posterior parts are then easily secured, while the civet is removed 
with a simple spatula. 
The substance obtained from the Rasse agrees with the civet afforded by the 
Viverra Civetta and Zibetha, in colour, consistence, and odour. It is a very favourite 
perfume among the Javanese, and applied both to their dresses, and by means of 
various unguents and mixtures of flowers, to their persons. Even the apartments 
and the furniture of the natives of rank are generally scented with it to such a 
degree as to be offensive to Europeans ; and at their feasts and public processions the 
air is widely filled with this odour. 
