Paradoxurus typus. F. Cuv.

Although the division of the true Carnivora into digitigrade and plantigrade is in many respects objectionable, we feel compelled, in conformity¹ with established rules, to remove the animal before us from its most obvious affinities², to arrange it among the latter; placing it, however, at the commencement of that division and nearly in contact with the viverrine groups, to which it is so intimately allied³, as to have been actually confounded by Buffon with the common Genette; a mistake, which was first clearly pointed⁴ out by M. F. Cuvier, but which has obtained so generally among naturalists⁵, that the Paradoxurus is still commonly exhibited under that erroneous name. From the Genettes and Civets it differs[108] little in its general form and habits; its teeth are nearly similar; and its toes and nails closely correspond in number and in their degree of retractility. But it is entirely⁶ destitute⁷ of the secretory⁸ pouch⁹; and, in addition to its plantigrade walk, it exhibits a very peculiar¹⁰ structure in the tail. This organ is as long as the body, and flattened¹¹ above and below; when extended, the further half is turned over so as to place its lower side uppermost, and the animal has it in its power to roll it up into a spire¹², commencing from above

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