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THE LUWACK. 
islands. The little group of animals to which the Lnwack belongs was arranged by Cuvier 
under the generic title of Paradoxurus, literally, Puzzle-tail, because they have a curious habit 
of twisting their tails into a tight coil, and in their cat-like claws, and their civet-like teeth, 
present a strange mixture of characteristics. 
The Luwack;, or common Paradoxure, is found plentifully in India, from whence many 
specimens have been brought to this country. As it has something of the viverrine look about 
it, Buifon and other naturalists placed it with the Genetts. It is a curious little creature, 
rather quick in its movements, and very inquisitive in its aspect, holding its head aside with 
an air of curiosity that is quite amusing. The eyes of this creature are very small and nearly 
black. 
As the Luwack is tolerably widely spread, it is known by various names, according to the 
locality in which it lives. Its Malabar appellation is Pounougar-Poune, a term which signifies 
u Civet Cat.” The general tint of the fur is a yellowish black, but it assumes various hues, 
LUWACK.— Paradoxurus typus 
according to the light in which it is viewed. On each side of the spine run three rows of elon- 
gated spots, and upon the thighs and shoulders other spots are scattered. But if the animal 
is viewed in certain lights, the spots on the body seem to be merged into lines, while those on 
the breast disappear altogether. This change of appearance is caused by the mode in which 
the hairs are colored, each hair being tipped with a darker hue, and some hairs being totally 
black. These latter hairs are very silken in texture, and much longer than the yellowish hairs 
of which the fur is mostly composed. 
The Luwack, as are all the Paradoxures, is entirely plantigrade. Its feet are furnished 
with sharp claws, which are sufficiently retractile to be kept from the ground when the animal 
walks, and are preserved so sharp, that they can be used for tree-climbing with the greatest 
ease. Its tail is very remarkable on account of the tight spiral into which it is frequently 
rolled, and seems to be unlike the tail of any other animals. Although it can be so firmly 
curled, it is not prehensile, as might be supposed from its aspect when half unrolled. 
One of these animals, which was kept in the Paris Museum, was accustomed to sleep 
during the day, coiled round upon its bed, and even by night appeared to feel a distaste 
for exertion. When evening came on, it would rouse itself from its slumbers, take food and 
drink, and again resign itself to sleep. 
