The Institutes of Akbar 65.1.5

65.1.5

It is a moist substance secreted during the rutting season by an animal which resembles a cat, having however, a larger face and mouth. The zabad which is brought from the harbour-town of Sumatra, from the territory of Achin, goes by the name of Sumatra zabad, and is by far the best. The moist substance itself is yellowish white. The animal has below its tail a bag, of the size of a small hazel nut, in which there are from five to six holes. The bag may be emptied every week or fortnight, and yields from half a tolah to eight mashahs. Some civet cats become so tame as to hold quiet when the bag is being emptied; but in the case of most animals, they have to catch hold of the tail, and draw it through the cage, when they take out the zabad with a shell, or by pressing gently against the bag. The price of a civet cat varies from 300 to 500 Rs. The zabad of the male is better than that of the female, because in the latter the vulva is just above the bag. When removed, the zabad is washed, and becomes afterwards one of the finest perfumes. The smell will remain a long time in the clothes, and even on the skin. There are several ways of washing it. If the quantity be small, they put it into a cup, or if greater, into a tin vessel, and wash it thirty times in cold water, and three times in warm water. The latter renders it thin and removes impurities.