MANGUSTA JAVANICA. 
colour. A ground of deep brown, passing, with obscure undulations, into black, 
is variegated with very numerous short longitudinal lines of a tawny colour. This 
appearance, which is characteristic of all Mangustze, is produced by alternate bands 
of tawny and brown, of different shades, passing into black, on the separate hairs. 
The tint is uniform on the whole surface, excepting the upper parts of the head, 
the forehead, the muzzle, and the feet, which are dark brown inclining to black, 
with obscure tawny variegations. The upper parts of the back are more intensely 
coloured, and the under parts throughout are scarcely perceptibly lighter. The 
separate hairs are stiff and somewhat bristly, but closely applied to the body. In 
their disposition some peculiarities occur, which are distinctly represented in the 
figure. A broad tuft of long delicate hairs passes from the temples over the ears, 
and affords a substantial covering and protection to the auditory passage ; on the 
anterior parts of the throat, the hairs are regularly directed anteriorly and posteriorly 
from one point, and spread in a radiated manner. The helix is covered with a very 
short down. On the upper lip a few stiff bristles of a black colour, nearly an inch 
in length, are loosely dispersed. The claws are of a brown colour, with a darker 
tint inclining to black along the upper margin. 
The Mangusta javanica is distinguished by the native name of Gar a ng an. 
In its habits and manners it resembles the other Mangusta? which have been described 
in detail by various authors. M. Geoffroy had an opportunity of observing and 
studying the Egyptian species, both in its native country and in Europe; and 
M. Fr£d. Cuvier has given the history of the Mangouste de Malacca, as he observed 
it in the Menagerie of Paris. 
The Mangusta javanica is found most abundant in the large teak forests. Its 
agility is greatly admired by the natives. It attacks and kills serpents with excessive 
boldness. The account which the venerable Rumphius gives of this animal, 
contains various particulars of its history. I shall extract a portion in his own 
words. " Maxima virtus et officium quod hominibus prestat, est, quod serpen tes 
occidat, quern in finem Magnates Javam eum maxime educant, et pro quivis octo 
vel decern nummos imperiales solvunt, ut aliquando hidibrium hujus pugnas 
videant, quae sequenti fit modo. Bini hostes sibi n mutuo quum obvii sint, primo 
tentat anguis more suo Mustelam circumvolvere et enecare. Moncus hoc sibi 
permittit, sed sese adeo inflat, ut turgeat, quumque serpens eum eomplectitur, 
suoque capite ad eum accedit, ut morsum ipsi adferat, turn Moncus corpus suum 
contrahit, ita ut elabatur, at serpen tis collum arrodit, ej usque fauces jugulat." — In 
referring to my notes, I observe that the mode of attack of the Garangan was stated 
to me by the natives precisely as it is related by Rumphius ; but the story regarding 
