THE CIVET CAT. 
41 
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to •> 
male and female ichneumon havfe a remarkable orifice, or openin 
independent of the natural passages : it is a kind of pocket, into 
which an odoriferous liquor filters. Its nose is sharp and its 
mouth is narrow, which prevents its seizing or biting anything 
very large ; but this defect is amply supplied by its courage, pow- 
er, and agility. It easily strangles a cat, and will often fight with 
a dog, of whatever size it may be, and commonly gets the better 
of it. It can be easily domesticated, and proves to be more obe- 
dient and affectionate than the cat. 
_Viii 
THE CIVET. 
'his animal belongs to the hottest countries in Asia and 
Africa ; but it is capable of living in temperate, and even 
in cold countries, provided that it is carefully protected 
from the injuries of the air, and supplied with delicate and escu- 
lent food. The civet, or perfume, that is obtained from this 
animal is a substance of the consistence of honey or butter, of a 
clear yellowish or brown color, of a strong smell, and offensive 
when undiluted, but very agreeable when a small quantity is 
mixed with another substance. The manner in which the article 
is taken from this animal is peculiar. It is first placed into a 
long and narrow box, in which it cannot turn. The box is then 
opened from behind by the collector, who drags ithe animal by 
the tail, and keeps it in that position by a bar in front ; he then 
takes out the civet with a small spoon, carefully scraping the in- 
terior coats, under the tail, which secretes and contains it. The 
substance of perfume thus obtained is then put into a vessel, and 
every care is taken to keep it closely shut. The Civet is a wild, 
fierce animal, and, though occasionally tamed, is never familiar. 
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