THE BASSARIS 
Bassaris astuta. 
Plate XIY. 
Only one example of this scarce little animal, the Bassaris of Mexico, lias, it is believed, ever been brought 
alive to Europe. This individual was exhibited in the Society’s Gardens in 1853, and was the subject of Mr. 
Wolf’s portrait, from which the present figure is taken. 
The Bassaris was first made known to science by the German Naturalist Wagler, who described 
it in a communication upon new Mexican animals, in the Scientific Journal called “ The Isis,” under the 
name Bassaris astuta (Isis, 1831, p. 512). It has been, however, shown by Professor Lichtenstein, that the 
Bassaris w as already known to Hernandez, who gave an account of it as long ago as 1651, in his work upon 
the natural productions of New Spain, as “ The Cacomixl,”—its native Mexican appellation. 
The genus Bassaris is generally referred to the family of Viverridce or Civet-cats, and is singular as being 
the only form of that group yet discovered in the New World. M. M. Eydoux and Souleyet, who have entered 
into minute details concerning the osteology and anatomy of this animal in the “ Zoology” of the Voyage of 
the French Discovery Ship, “LaBonite,” state that its internal structure indicates an animal intimately allied 
to Vtverra (the true Civet-cat), but, at the same time, attached to the Mustelida in some other points. Its 
dentary system is that of Viverra. 
“ The Bassaris,” observes Mr. Charlesworth, in the course of some observations made before the Zoological 
Society in 1841, upon exhibiting a collection of Mammals and Birds obtained on the table-land of Mexico, “is 
known in Mexico by the name ‘ Cacomistle; ’ it is abundant in the city itself, and indeed, as I believe, is not to 
be met with at a distance from the abodes of man. Its habits are nocturnal, and it selects for its dwelling 
outhouses or uninhabited buildings, whence it sallies forth at night, and commits great ravages in hen-roosts 
and pigeon-houses. On this account every attempt is made by the Mexicans to exterminate it. The number 
of young which the Bassaris produces does not exceed three or four at a birth ” (Proc. Zool. Soc., 1841, p. 60). 
Similar accounts of the Bassaris are given by the Naturalists attached to the expedition sent out by the 
government of the United States for the survey of the Mexican Boundary. Mr. J. II. Clark, who procured 
specimens of it on the Bio San Pedro, in Texas, says as follows (Keport of the Survey, vol. ii. p. 17). 
“ This ‘ Cat-squirrel,’ as it is called by the Texans, lives amongst rocks and trees. Though not a rare 
animal, its nocturnal habits render it inconspicuous, and the procurement of a specimen consequently an 
unfrequent occurrence. But a single one was seen, and that a female, in the crevice of a rock, with four or 
five young adhering to the paps. To detach these required considerable force; previous to that time they 
showed no signs of discomfort, although the mother had been dead several hours. It is said to be a constant 
and common occupant of Mexican outhouses and deserted ranchos. The specimen obtained, when first seen, 
was asleep; it fought furiously, with claws and teeth, in defence of self and home, and displayed no 
disposition whatever to run otf. It is easily tamed and even domesticated, and makes a mild and playful pet.” 
With reference to the general appearance of the Bassaris, Professor Baird’s remarks, in the same work, 
will be read with interest: — 
“ The species of the genus Bassaris look much like a cross between the fox and raccoon, having the 
cunning look and much of the form of the one, with the ringed tail of the other. The body is more slender than 
in the foxes, but stouter than in the common weasels; in fact, having much the proportions of the Mink, 
Putorius vison. The hair is nearly as long as in the foxes, moderately soft and furry, with longer hairs 
interspersed. The ears are well developed and erect, pointed and naked on the outer side, but coated on the 
inner with short hairs. Their posterior edge is split, as in other carnivora. The head is sharply pointed; the 
naked muzzle quite large; the whiskers very bristly and long. The eyes are rather large. The tail is about 
as long as the body, quite bushy, though depressed and ringed alternately with black and white. The feet 
are all five-toed; their under surfaces hairy, except on the pads and balls of the toes, which are naked, and 
seem to possess a high degree of tactile sensibility. The claws are short and partially retractile.” 
