17 
deeper hue on those parts where the animal is normally black. 
They are easily tamed, and make playful pets. 
Another species is the Crab-Eating Raccoon (P. can - 
crivorus ) of South America. 
A usual result of attempting to reproduce in zoological 
gardens the exact surroundings of animals in their life under 
nature, is well illustrated by this enclosure, in which natural 
conditions have been so completely imitated, that probably 
not one visitor out of a hundred ever sees a raccoon. Those 
occupying it pass their whole time during the day hidden 
from view in the hollow logs, or asleep among the upper 
branches of the tree. 
No. 30.—THE SMALL MAMMAL 
HOUSE. 
This building was erected in 1898, partly upon the founda¬ 
tion of the old Monkey House, and contains mammals of 
small size, belonging to a variety of groups. 
The Viverridce is a large family of carnivorous mammals of 
small size, all resembling more or less the civets in appear¬ 
ance and habits; they are of active and graceful movements, 
many of them living much among trees; all feeding upon 
smaller quadrupeds, birds, eggs, and reptiles. They chiefly 
inhabit Africa and southern Asia, two species being found 
in Europe. 
Among them are the African Civet ( Viverra civetta ), 
the Burmese Civet (K megaspiia ), the Indian Civet ( Viver - 
ricula indica ), the Common Genet ( Genetta vulgaris ) of 
southern Europe and Africa, the Palm Cat (. Paradoxurus 
niger ), the Common Paradoxure ( P . typus ), the Two-spotted 
Paradoxure ( Nandinia binotata), the Binturong ( Arctictis 
binturong ) from Malacca, the Mongoose or Gray Ichneumon 
(. Herpestcs mungo ) from India and the surrounding islands, 
the Egyptian Ichneumon ( H . ichneumon) , the Dusty Ichneu¬ 
mon (ZZ. pulverulenius ) from South Africa, and the beautiful 
Civet Cat or Ring-tailed Bassaris ( Bassaris astuta ) of 
Texas and Mexico. It is probable that the latter animal 
possesses affinities which ally it more closely with the coatis 
and raccoons than with the Viverridce , among which it has 
sometimes been classed. 
