I have heard for as long as I can remember (and even read in a book somewhere) that a major ingredient of Chanel No. 5 perfume is the sweaty excretions of the Abyssinian civet cat. I have even heard that they stretch these cats out on some type of medieval rack and whip them mercilessly to make them sweat more. The Straight Dope please, Cecil.
You’re wondering what these two questions have in common? Better sit down, friends. It’ll become apparent all too soon.
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First of all, the civet isn’t a cat, it just looks like one–actually it’s related to the mongoose. And those sweaty excretions aren’t sweat–they come from the perineal glands, next to the civet’s anus. (What do you mean, “Ewww”? We’ve barely gotten started. I’ll give you something to go “ewww” about.) The perineal glands contain a smelly substance that civets, and true cats for that matter, use to mark their territory. In ancient times some unknown perfume artisan came to an important realization:
In fact, when used in minute quantities civet has a certain musky allure, and when mixed with more perishable fragrances it prolongs their scent.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): illustration/Slug Signorino.
