Skunk Mcmpliitis nigra 



equipped with an ejecting apparatus. From these 

 glands the animal can shoot, for ten feet, a vile smelling 

 lluid which is yellow in color and which is also capable 

 of producing a burning sensation on the flesh. This has 

 proved to be one of the most efficacious means of de- 

 fense possessed by any animal. The skunk does not run 

 from anything, generally because it does not have to. 

 But sometimes such security dulls the intelligence of 

 animals and the skunk has lost, or never had, the abil- 

 ity to discriminate among enemies. I have seen one 

 stand in the path of an oncoming express train and 

 raise its tail in defiance. Because of this inability to 

 judge danger, thousands of skunks are killed each year 

 by trains and automobiles. As a rule, the skunk will 

 not use its weapons unless disturbed. But when irri- 

 tated, it turns around, raises its tail, and "lets go." 



-^ 102 >.- 



