848 - Home Nature-Study Course. 



(10). Does it ever do any injury to farmers? 



(11). Do you think it does more good than harm? 



(12). Describe the skunk's track in the following particulars: How 

 many toes show in the track ? Does the palm or heel show ? Are the 

 tracks near together and do they form a single or double line? 



Facts for the Teacher. — The fact that the fetid discharge of the skunk is so dis- 

 agreeable to all othefr animals has had a decided influence upon the skunk's char- 

 acter. It has not had to rely upon its cunning to escape from its enemies; it has, 

 therefore, never developed the cleverness of the fox, nor has it a sense of fear. It 

 marches abroad without haste or hurry, calmly expecting that every creature which 

 sees it will give it plenty of room. It has few enemies except the farm dog, although 

 its flesh is said to be most excellent food, as delicate as the flesh of a chicken. The 

 skunk is a night prowler, and does its hunting in the dark. The white upon its 

 fur gives warning to all who come near it that here is an animal that had best be 

 left alone. Dr. Hart Merriam who has made pets of young skunks declares that 

 they are intelligent. However, it has been proven that they can learn very little 

 from experience, as they are the easiest of all animals to trap. The food of the 

 skunk consists largely of insects, mice, snakes and other small animals; skunks 

 are also destructive to the eggs and young of birds which build their nests upon 

 the ground. The animal uses its strong fore paws in securing its prey. Dr. Mer- 

 riam says of one of his pet skunks which was named " Meph :" "We used to walk 

 through the woods to a large meadow that abounded in grasshoppers. Here Meph 

 would fairly revel in his favorite food, and it was rich sport to watch his maneu- 

 vers. When a grasshopper jumped he jumped and I have seen him with as many 

 as three in his mouth and two under his fore paws at the same time." The only 

 injury which a skunk is likely to do to the farmers is the raiding of the hen's nest, 

 and this it could not do if the poultry was properly housed. On the other hand, 

 the skunk is of great use in destroying injurious insects and mice. Often when 

 skunks burrow beneath barns they will completely rid the place of mice, and with- 

 out doubt they do far more good than harm. Skunk fur is very valuable and is 

 sold under the name of Alaskan Sable and many a fine lady who goes about decked 

 in this beautiful fur would be shocked if she knew on what animal it grew. Skunk 

 oil is a valuable medicine. The skunk takes short steps and goes so slowly it makes 

 a double track, tlie imprints being very close together. The foot makes a longer 

 track than that of the cat as the skunk is plantigrade, that is, walks upon his palms 

 as well as his toes. The fetid material which is the skunk's defense is contained in 

 two capsules situated under the root of the tail. These little capsules are not larger 

 than peas and the quantity of liquid forced from them in a discharge is scarcely 

 more than a large drop, yet it will perrneate the air with its odor for even a mile. 

 Dr. Merriam removed these capsules from his pet skunks. 



References. — " Wild Neighbors," Ingersoll ; " Familiar Life in Field 

 and Forest," Mathews; "American Animals," Stone and Cram; " Squir- 

 rels and- Other Fur Bearers," Burroughs. 



