PROCESS FOR 
OBTAINING MtTSK. 
165 
tWeeii the bars; they then bring the hind legs in the same manner, 
and hold them tight ; the} then pass a plank before the animal 
to prevent him IVoni going forwards ; and in this position they 
introduce into the sac a small iron spoon, with which tliey 
lightly scrape the internal emissaries. This motion compresses 
the glands) and obliges them to evacuate the matter they contain, 
wiiich is tlien removed with a spoon. 
This process caimot, however, be performed daily; as the 
animal does not produce a sufficient supply of matter; it there- 
fore takes place every third day, and in certain seasons, once iii 
two days. Each tioîe affords about a drachm and half, or at 
the utmost two drachms. \V hen the substance is ilrst taken it is 
\vhite, rather bordering upon grey, but changes imperceptibly to 
a brown. Its smell at a distance is sweet and agreeable; but 
Mhen near, is too strong, and alfects the head. The perfumers 
prepare it by mixing wàth it other drugs, which interrupt the 
violent volatility of its particles, and tlius render the smell not 
merely supportable, but to many people delightfoL 
The Dutch breed a number of civets, and send to Paris all the 
ttiusk which they obtain. They feed the animals on nothing but 
tn'ilk and the yolks of eggs ; and it is asserted that this food ren- 
ders the Dutch nuisk whiter than which comes from Africa, or 
the East and West Indies, where they feed them promiscuously 
and abundantly on different kinds of raw flesh : in other re- 
spects, the colour excepted, all musk has the same qualities. 
It is, hovvever, almost impossible to procure pure musk, as the 
Jews of Hollatid and Cairo, and indeed all those who trade in 
this article, almost always adulterate it. They gain much by 
this practice, and we lose nothing: in the way we receive it, it 
is equal to our wants, and even to our luxuries. 
A great number of civets might be raised in the European 
factories in Africa ; but it is evident that the rage for musk is 
past, as our nerves are become so delicate that we can scarcely 
think of it; it is therefore only used in medicine, in which it is 
administered for the cholic in children, by applying it to the 
navel, as well as in certain female complaints; and, however 
small may be the quantity that we receive, we fold it sufficient 
for onr consumption. 
I'he ounces are a species of the leopard, and their Skin is ex- 
tremely beautiful* This animal is very active, runs in a leaping 
or cantering manner, and darts like lightning upon its prey. It 
is said, that the Persians used them for hunting gazelles, and the 
following is the manner in which their chase has been described ; 
they earned the ounces on horseback, either before or behind 
them ; and when they perceived a gazelle, they shewed it to one, 
and let him loose, I'he ounce n>ade after it^ seized it by the^ueck. 
