Civet

a small flesh-eating animal intermediate between the cat and the hyena. There are several species peculiar to the Mediterranean region and Malaysia. The mongoose and the ichneumon are members of the civet family. Like its relatives the civet lives chiefly on mice and other small mammals, birds' eggs, lizards, and snakes, and assists in destroying the eggs of the crocodile. The civet is noted for a pouch of oily fat with a peculiarly penetrating odor used as a perfume. Civets are raised for their oil, a few drops of which may be pressed out at intervals of a week or so. The Abyssinians bring civet to market in small cattle horns. Pure civet oil is worth $10 an ounce in London. See Perfume