The CIVET CAT,
Is claſſed by Naturaliſts among the Weaſels, on account of its long body, and proportionate short legs; and alſo, becauſe the claws are not ſecured or covered with a ſheath when drawn in.
The ſhape of this animal is pleaſant and agreeable; the colour a browniſh grey, variegated on the body and legs, with darkiſh ſplotches; the noſe ſharp, and black at the tip; the ears rather large and round; the tail nearly as long as the body; the length of which, from the noſe to the rump, is about 28 inches, and the height about 12 inches;—is ſubject to conſiderable variations both in ſize and colour, which in ſome is cinnamon, ſtriped almoſt like a Zebra.
With care, this animal will live in the more temperate climates, but muſt be conſidered as a native of the warmer ones; viz. the Eaſt-Indies, the Philippine Iſles, Madagaſcar, and the Braſils; where it produces wild in great abundance; inhabits the woods, feeds upon birds and poultry; in caſes of neceſſity, eats roots and herbs; poſſeſſes conſiderable boldneſs, and is not eaſily tamed, or ever familiarized.
Of this animal great gain has been made from the perfume which it produces in a glandular pouch or bag, which ſprings under the anus, and hangs between the legs: this ſecretion, rated as an article of commerce, has procured an attention to be given this animal, which, but for gain, it would never have experienced. Civet, as a perfume, ſome years back, was in high eſtimation; many animals were kept, and fed with attentive hands, in order to increaſe and ſecure this exſudation of nature. In the upper external part of the pouch is an orifice, which opens into the bag where the Civet is depoſited (in appearance like ſoft pomatum); and ſuch as are kept for profit, are confined in a long wooden box, little bigger than the animal, and the receptacle of the perfume is ſearched, or rather ſcraped, with a ſpatula or ſpoon twice or thrice every week, and the produce carefully preſerved; which yields a good profit.
The Dutch bring the greateſt quantities of this valuable perfume to market, and theirs is generally eſteemed the beſt, and moſt free from mixtures, which are added to increaſe the weight, but impoveriſh the drug. It ſtill continues a conſiderable object of traffic in parts of India, the Levant, and the Braſils; of which latter place Mr. Buffon doubts the animal’s being a native. The fumes of the Civet, when irritated, produce a ſtrong odour; and any place it rubs againſt ſtrongly partakes of the ſcent: the ſkins will long retain the valuable quality.
