T HE li A S S E. 
Viverricula malaccensis. 
Plate VIII. 
The subject of the present representation is a diminutive of the Viverra or Civet-genus, which is widely 
diffused over the entire Indian region with the exception of the mountainous parts, its geographical range 
extending even into China. It is a common animal in most parts of India, the Indo-Chinese countries 
eastward of the Bay of Bengal, the Malayan peninsula, Java, and the Philippine Islands, and is also, probably, 
an inhabitant of Sumatra. Wherever found it is subject to a certain amount of variation of coloring, as 
is generally the case with animals of this order having a spotted skin, the ground-hair being more or less 
rusty, and the body markings more or less developed, both as regards the number and the intensity of the 
spots; but it does not appear that these variations are more than individual. 
Of this species, in common with the larger Civets, the late Dr. Cantor remarks that “ they are arboreal 
as well as terrestrial, preying upon the smaller quadrupeds, birds, fish, Crustacea, insects, and fruit. Naturally 
very fierce, they are scarcely reclaimable, except in youth, but with age the original disposition returns. 
Their voice is peculiar, hoai'se, and hissing.”* 
Mr. Hodgson remarks of the Civets generally, as observed in Nepal, that “ these animals dwell in forests 
or detached woods and copses, whence they wander freely into the more open country by day (occasionally at 
least) as well as by night; for one has been killed at noon, three miles from cover, in the midst of the fields. 
They are solitary and single wanderers, even the pair being seldom together, and they feed promiscuously upon 
small mammals, birds, eggs, snakes, frogs, insects, besides some fruits and roots. In the Terai the larger 
Civets ( Viverra zibetha) are found in uncultivated copses, and they are said further to protect themselves by 
burrowing; at least they are frequently taken in holes, whether made by themselves or obtained by ejection of 
other animals. The Mushaws, a low caste of woodmen, eat their flesh.” 
The Basse, is, according to Mr. Blyth, the Guncla gokul of the natives of Bengal. In this country 
it frequents the vicinity of human habitations, and the outskirts of large cities, prowling about nocturnally, 
and sometimes even finding its way into dwellings and outhouses, wherever it can obtain access. It eludes 
observation, for the most part, by its nocturnal habits, though now and then it is entrapped in places where 
its presence would hardly be suspected, and its depredations have been attributed to some marauding 
house-cat. The late Dr. Kelaart, in his “ Prodromus Faun® Zelyanicee,” correctly describes our animal, and 
remarks that the Basse is found in the northern provinces of Ceylon, and is also very numerous in the north¬ 
eastern district. Natives keep them in cages for the sake of the musky fluid which their anal pouches 
secrete. When young they are docile. In a wild state they are great destroyers of poultry, and enter 
poultry-yards even during the day, and carry off a goose or duck. They are, however, more shy and 
nocturnal in densely populated neighbourhoods. 
In Java, as in Ceylon, the perfume secreted by the Basse is held in high estimation. According to the late 
Dr. Ilorsfield, “ the Basse is not unfrequontly found in Java, in forests of moderate elevation above the level 
of the ocean. Here it preys on small birds and animals of every description. It possesses the sanguinary 
appetite of animals of this family in a High degree. In confinement, it will devour a mixed diet, and is fed on 
eggs, fish, flesh, and rice. Salt is reported by the natives to be a poison to it. The odoriferous substance, the 
dedes of the Javanese or jibet of the Malays, is collected periodically. The animal is placed in a narrow cage, 
in which the head and anterior extremities are confined; the posterior parts are thus easily secured, while the 
civet is removed with a simple spatula. It has not been known to propagate in a state of confinement, 
“ The substance obtained from the Basse,” continues Dr. Horsfield, “ agrees with the civet afforded by 
the large Vioerrw in color, consistence, and odour. It is a very favorite perfume among the Javanese, and is 
applied both to their dresses, and by means of various unguents and mixtures of flowers, to their persons. 
Even the apartments and furniture of the natives of rank are generally scented with it to such a degree as to 
be offensive to Europeans, and at their feasts and public processions the air is widely filled with this odour.” 
The perfume of the Civets is rank and strong, and has long ceased to be in request, except for admixture 
with other scents, among the civilized nations of Europe. 
Journ. Jls. Soc. Ben. xv., 199. 
