. Mammals of other lands;. Mammals. THE FOSSA, CIVETS, AND ICHNEUMONS -j-] Sumatra and Borneo, it is very rare, but is known to feed on fish and Crustacea, and to be semi- aquatic. The author of the chapter on the civets in the Naturalist's Library says, " It may be likened to a climbing ; THE MONGOOSE AND ICHNEUMON FAMILY These are a numerous and useful race of small mammals, feeding mainly on the creatures most annoying to man within tropical countries. Snakes, the eggs of the crocodile, large lizard, rats, mice, and other creatures known generally as " vermin," are
. Mammals of other lands;. Mammals. THE FOSSA, CIVETS, AND ICHNEUMONS -j-] Sumatra and Borneo, it is very rare, but is known to feed on fish and Crustacea, and to be semi- aquatic. The author of the chapter on the civets in the Naturalist's Library says, " It may be likened to a climbing ; THE MONGOOSE AND ICHNEUMON FAMILY These are a numerous and useful race of small mammals, feeding mainly on the creatures most annoying to man within tropical countries. Snakes, the eggs of the crocodile, large lizard, rats, mice, and other creatures known generally as " vermin," are their favourite foX)d. It must be added that, though they are most useful in destroying these, they also kill all kinds of birds, and that their introduction into some of the West India Islands, for the purpose of killing rats, has been fatal to the indigenous bird life. The Indian Mongoose This universal favourite is one of the largest, the head and body being from 15 to 18 inches. Thata by A. S. Rudland &= Sms GENET Tie genets are smaller than some cfvets^ but allied to mem. One ivas anciently domesticated like a cat long, and the tail 14 inches. The fur is loose and long, and capable of being erected. As in all the tribe, the tint is a " pepper and salt," the " pepper " colour being sometimes blackish and sometimes red, but a speckled appearance characterises the whole group. This is the animal supposed to be immune from snake-bite. It is possibly so to some extent, for it kills and eats the poisonous snakes, and it is now known that the eating of snake-poison tends to give the same protection as inoculation does against certain diseases. But it is certain that in most cases the mongoose, by its activity, and by setting up the hair on its body, which makes the snake " strike short," saves itself from being bitten. Many descriptions of the encounters between these brave little animals and the cobra have been written. Here is one of the less
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Keywords: ., bookauthorco, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectmammals
