Maynakp on the Ma mm ah of Florida. i 



Although the amount of the above named colors is change- 

 able, it is unusual to see the Skunk of a different hue; yet 

 Mr. F. A. Ober of Beverly has a specimen which was taken 

 in that place that is marked in a very singular manner, in- 

 asmuch as those portions which are usually black are in this 

 instance pale brown or fawn. Two or three similar speci- 

 mens have since come under my notice, one of which I once 

 owned. 



8. Mephitis bicolor Gray. Little Striped Skunk. — 

 This pretty little species which, previous to my discover- 

 ing it in Florida, was not known to occur east of the Missis- 

 sippi, is very abundant in certain sections of the State. They 

 are confined to the narrow strip of land which lies between 

 Indian River and Turnbull Swamp, being found as far north 

 as New Smyrna and south to Jupiter Inlet. They appear 

 to take the place of the common skunk, which does not oc- 

 cur in this section. They frequent the scrub, and traces 

 of them may be seen at all times, for they have the habit 

 of digging small holes in search of insects, like the preced- 

 ing species. These Skunks are easily domesticated and I 

 have frequently known of their being used in the house, for 

 the purpose of catching mice. Sometimes the animals are 

 captured and the scent glands removed, but they are often 

 simply decoyed about the premises by exposing food, when 

 they will take up their abode beneath the buildings, and 

 will soon become so tame as to enter the various apartments 

 in search of their prey. I have since learned that this spe- 

 cies is quite common in some sections of Ohio and that it is 

 even found as far east as New York. 



9. Procyon lotor Storr. Raccoon. — Very numerous 

 both upon the mainland and among the Keys, even fre- 

 quenting the low mangrove islands which are overflowed 

 by every tide. They subsist upon fish and crabs to a great 



