GENET  , typically a

south European carnivorous mammal referable to the Viverridae or family of civets, but also taken to include several allied species from Africa . The true genet (Genetta vulgaris or Genetta genetta) occurs throughout the south of Europe and in Palestine, as well as North Africa . The fur is of a dark-grey colour, thickly spotted with black, and having a dark streak along the back, while the tail, which is nearly as long as the The Genet (Genetta vulgaris) . body, is ringed with black and white . The genet is rare in the south of-France, but commoner in Spain, where it frequents the banks of streams, and feeds on small mammals and birds . It differs from the true civets in that the anal pouch is a mere depression, and contains only a faint trace of the highly characteristic odour of the former . In south-western Europe and North Africa it is sought for its soft and beautifully spotted fur . In some parts of Europe, the genet, which is easily tamed, is kept like a cat for destroying mice and other vermin .