170 . TENANTS OF AN OLD FAUM. 



foes — the skunk or pole-cat. It is not a very goodly 

 fellowship, certainly, but that is the fact, boys and 

 pole-cats are fellow-soldiers in their raids upon the 

 humble-bee. The skunk hunts the nests, and tears 

 them up for the sake of the larvie particularly, of which 

 it is very fond. The nests of yellow-jackets, which are 

 also made on the ground, are raided in the same way 

 by this animal." 



" Why don't the bees sting 'em off?" asked Harry. 



" Doubtless, they do try ; but the assaults are usually 

 by night when the insects are a little dazed, and before 

 they can recover from their surprise the mischief is 

 done. Besides, the fur jacket of the beast is a good pro- 

 tection against so short a sword as a bee-sting." 



"I should think," said Abby, "that the mere 

 presence of such an ill-odored animal would sufiice to 

 disperse such respectable creatures as bees. Faugh !" 



"But then," I answered, joining in the laugh which 

 followed the Schoolma'am's closing interjection, "you 

 must remember that the skunk is not always mal- 

 odorous. Like some unsavory human kind, of whom I 

 wot, it is by no means ill-looking, and knows how to 

 conceal its obnoxious traits. The powerful perfume 

 which it carries in the little pouch which nature has 

 provided for that purpose, and which is the animal's 

 weapon of defence, would not be used against such in- 

 significant assailants as bees. That is used for more 

 formidable enemies, as man and dogs. Besides, I have 

 known very fastidious gentlewomen who could pat and 

 fondle the skunk's soft coat with great pleasure." 



