mainder of the face and parts of the sides of the neck are 
of a yellowish white ; from each ear are three black stripes, 
terminating at the throat and shoulders ; tail -black, and 
marked with a few pale spots on each side the ears* The 
Civet is a native of Africa, and in many particulars re- 
sembles the Zibet, which is a native of India, and in- 
deed so much so, that they scarcely can be considered as 
distinct species. It will not breed in more temper- 
ate regions, though it lives and appears in perfect 
health : in its own climate it is very prolific. It is 
active and nimble, and runs very swiftly ; it feeds 
on small animals, but particularly birds, which it takes 
by surprize ; and it sometimes commits depradations 
among the poultry, when it can steal into a farm- 
yard. In confinement, its favourite food is boiled meat, 
eggs, birds, small animals, and fish. It is remarkable for 
the production of the drug called civet, (sometimes ero~ 
neously confounded with musk.) This substance is a 
secretion, formed in a large double glandular receptacle, 
situated at some little distance beneath the tail, and which 
the animal empties spontaneously. When the Civet Cats 
are kept in a state of confinement, (as is usual with the 
perfumers at Amsterdam, and other places ) they are 
placed, from time to time, in strong wooden cages or re- 
ceptacles so constructed as to prevent the creature from 
turning round, and biting the person collecting the secret- 
ed substance. This operation is performed twice a week, 
and about a dram obtained each time : it is done by scrap- 
ing out the civet with a small spatula or spoon. This 
substance is cf a yellowish colour, and of the consistence 
of an unquent; of an extremely strong and even unplea- 
sant odoar, when fresh, so as sometimes to cause giddiness 
and headach. The civet procured from Amsterdam, is 
less adulterated, and therefore held in higher estimation 
than that from India and the. Levant. Its general value 
in Holland is. 5CG. an ounce, but it varies very consider- 
