188 
THE CAGOMIXLE. 
each side of the face is a bold black patch. The hinder legs are quite black at the ankle 
joint. 
These animals are very susceptible of domestication, and in various Eastern districts are 
as familiar inhabitants of the house as the domestic cat. Like the house cat, the Genett 
signalizes itself in the destructive wars which it wages against rats and mice, being especially 
fitted for such a pursuit by its active limbs and lithe form. The Genetts seem, when wild, 
to prefer the low grounds in the vicinity of rivers to the higher forest lands, and are there 
captured. 
They are not nearly so large as the civet, being only five inches in height at the shoulder, 
and about twenty inches in total length. The eye is of a light brown color, and rather pro- 
tuberant. The young of the Pale Genett has 
the spots of a light chestnut instead of the 
deep blackish-brown of the adult animal. 
The Amer Genett, an inhabitant of Abys- 
sinia, is a boldly and handsomely marked crea- 
ture. The general color of its fur is a darkish 
yellow gray, on which are placed a number of 
well-defined dark spots. These markings run 
in fine regular lines, being larger nearing the 
spine, and becoming smaller as they recede 
therefrom. The tail is boldly and equally 
covered with rings of the same dark fur as 
that of the spots on the body. 
Very different from the Genetts in its 
appearance is the Cacomixle,* although it is 
closely allied to them. 
It is remarkable as being a Mexican rep- 
resentative of the Genett group of animals, 
although it can hardly be considered as a true 
Genett or a true Mungous. The color of this 
animal is a light uniform dun, a dark bar being 
placed like a collar over the back of the neck. 
In some specimens this bar is double, and in 
all it is so narrow that when the animal throws 
its head backwards the dark line is lost in the 
lighter fur. Along the back runs a broad, sin- 
gular, darkish stripe. The tail is ringed something like that of the Ringed Lemur, and is 
very full. The term Cacomixle is a Mexican word, and the animal is sometimes called by a 
still stranger name, “Tepemaxthalon.” The scientific title “Bassaris” is from the Greek, 
and signifies a fox. 
* Note by the Editor . — The Cacomixle during several years after its discovery was erroneously placed in the system 
of nature. Its resemblance to individuals of the group of Civets led to its being regarded as allied to them. As there 
are no other animals of this family in America, it was regarded as singularly unique. Late examination of its anatomy 
has led to its recognition as a member of the Raccoon family, an American race. Its general appearance is quite like 
that of the common Raccoon ; indeed, the Mexican non-scientific people have been wiser than our naturalists, for they call 
it the Ring-tailed Raccoon. In California and Mexico it is tamed by the miners and ranchmen, and it in most respects 
becomes as domesticated as a house cat. It is by them called the Mountain Cat. It is an efficient mouser ; is very playful, 
and seems to have a choice for the abode of man. It is nocturnal in habit, and produces three young at a birth. The food of 
the Bassaris is much the same as that of the Raccoons : small animals, insects, nuts, etc. It finds a home in holes of trees, 
especially in the Pecan tree, where it finds abundance of food in its nuts, and has an especial fondness in remaining on or 
about one tree. Like some other bright creatures, it selects a rotten knot on the under side of a limb for its nest, thereby 
finding security from rain. 
CACOMIXLE.— Bassaris astuta. 
