22)

GENET,

Tre genet is a native of the south of France, Spain,
Africa, and the southern parts of Asia. It is somewhat
smaller than the civet, and a little larger than the
marten: in its distinguishing characteristics it more
resembles the former. It is easily tamed, and as it
keeps houses perfectly free from rats and mice, it is of
considerable service.

This beautiful species is chiefly to be found along the
banks of rivers, the sides of brooks and springs. “It is
of a grey colour, spotted with brown or black; the
muzzle is blackish, but has white spots on each side of
its extremity; on the eyebrows and cheeks are also
white spots; the tail is as long as the body, and assimi-
lated with black and white, the black rings being from
nine to eleven in number, and the white ones from
seven to eight. Some specimens differ in the size and
number of their spots, in the bands along the shoulders
and neck, and in the lines on the nape of the neck.
In all, however, the pouch is reduced to a slight de-
pression, formed by a projection of the glands, and has
scarcely any visible excretion, although an odour is
diffused from it, which is more faint and agreeable than
that of the civet; their nails are completely retractile;
and in the light the pupils of their eyes form a vertical
fissure.

Belou tells us that he saw genets in the houses at
Constantinople as tame as cats; and that they were per-
mitted to run everywhere about, and without doing any
mischief; hence they have been called the cats of