. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. 92 MAMMALIA. is Dog-like, but certainly not a Caiiis: its form and colouring (and there is reason to suspect its internal conformation), are rather those of a Hyaena; and it is known to copulate in the manner of those animals, and not in the peculiar manner of the Dogs and Foxes. Even its dentition is the same as that elsewhere found, (with one other exception,—Pro/efes,) throughout the group to which we conceire the Hyaenas to belong, the dental system of which latter appears to be modified in accordance with their m
. Cuvier's animal kingdom : arranged according to its organization. Animals. 92 MAMMALIA. is Dog-like, but certainly not a Caiiis: its form and colouring (and there is reason to suspect its internal conformation), are rather those of a Hyaena; and it is known to copulate in the manner of those animals, and not in the peculiar manner of the Dogs and Foxes. Even its dentition is the same as that elsewhere found, (with one other exception,—Pro/efes,) throughout the group to which we conceire the Hyaenas to belong, the dental system of which latter appears to be modified in accordance with their much increased and prodigious strength of jaw.] The Civets (Fiverra),— Have three false molars above and four below, the anterior of which sometimes fall out ; two tolerably large tuberculous teeth above, one only below, and two tubercles projecting forwards on the inner side of the lower carnivorous tooth, the rest of that tooth being tuberculous. The tongue is covered with sharp and rough papillae. Their claws are more or less raised as they walk ; and near the anus is a pouch more or less deep, where an unctuous and often odorous matter is secreted by peculiar glands. They divide into four subgenera. The True Civets {Viverra, Cuv.),— In which the pouch, large, and situate between the anus and the genitals, divided also into two sacs, is abundantly supplied with a pommade having a strong musky odour, secreted by glands which surround the pouch. This substance is an article of commerce, much used in perfumery. It was more employed when musk and ambergris were little known. The pupil of the eye remains round during the day*, and their claws are only semi-retractUe. [Four species are known, from Africa and India: beautiful spotted animals, larger than a domestic Cat: they have an erectible mane along the back (as in the Hyaenas), more or less conspicuous : are of an indolent disposition, and easily tamed ; feed partly on fruits; when irritated raise the dorsal mane, an
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, bookpublishe, booksubjectanimals
