CHAPTER THIRTEEN 



IN all probability there is no better known land animal 

 in this country than the common skunk and, for that mat- 

 ter, no other American mammal is less popular than this 

 black and white "woods pussy." But, in spite of its almost 

 universal unpopularity, this harmless creature is a valuable 

 and noteworthy member of the group of animals that has 

 given Louisiana such an important standing as a fur-pro- 

 ducing state. 



The fact that the skunk possesses a scent sac secreting 

 what may be insufficiently described as "a malodorous 

 fluid," which it can dispense with acrid accuracy when an- 

 noyed, has long been known. ThiV characteristic method 

 of defense was first made known to the world in 1636, when 

 Sagard-Theodat wrote an account of Canada; this French 

 naturalist described the animal as "Enfance due diable, que 

 le Hurons appele Scangaresse . . . un bete fort puante."^ 



And from that time until today the "child of the devil" 

 has held a reputation which has become so notorious that 

 the mere mention of the world skunk has become one of 

 opprobrium. 



The name skunk, now in common usage, was derived 

 from the Cree Indian seecaivk, although another form, that 

 of seganku, is sometimes given as the derivation. The ani- 

 mal was quite well known to the Indians of the Gulf Coast, 

 the Choctaws calling it Koni; the Biloxi, inska, while the 

 Ofo Indians termed it ataxoska. 



"•'Child of the de^'il, whom the Huion Indians cal 

 strong stinking animal." 



Scangaresse, is one 



