986 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



it is a flesh-eater only at intervals. It is credited with eating 

 fruit. I never saw one do so, but have seen plenty of berry 

 seed in what I took to be Skunk 'sign.' 



TRAP- This animal has so long enjoyed immunity from attack 



through the terror of its armament, that it has neglected modes 

 of defence that its ancestors undoubtedly employed. Like 

 the rattlesnake, it has lost its speed, its ability to climb a tree, 

 and its keen wits. In truth, it has become slow and stupid; 

 satisfied with itself and utterly unsuspicious. Foxes and Wolves 

 have a sort of inborn knowledge and distrust of gins and 

 springles, no matter how carefully they are concealed. Nothing 

 seems capable of inspiring the Skunk with such helpful discre- 

 dence. It will go blundering right into the most obvious of traps, 

 even after seeing a brother taken there the night, yes, an hour, 

 before; yes, even if itself has already been caught therein; 

 pitfall, deadfall, steel, or box-trap, it is all the same to the 

 Skunk, in it goes. When caught in a steel trap it may be 

 easily and safely dispatched by a plan that Dr. Merriam sets 

 forth in his "Mammals of the Adirondacks."" 



HOW TO Not by shooting it through the heart or blowing its head 



SKUNK off — such a death is usually accompanied by a tremendous 

 discharge — but by one sharp, heavy blow across the back. 

 This paralyzes all the muscles below the point of injury, and 

 without muscular action no musk can be vented. It is quite 

 easy to approach a trapped Skunk if one moves slowly and 

 stands still as soon as it shows alarm by raising its tail or trying 

 to escape. 



When caught in a box-trap, box and all may be sunk in 

 water, for a drowned Skunk rarely smells, but the quickest, 

 safest, surest, and most odourless way is that set forth above. 



ENEMIES The Hare is the most harmless of creatures. None fear 



it; it kills none; therefore all kill it. It has no friends. The fear 

 of the Skunk is on all flesh; therefore none kill it. It has no 

 " Pp. 80-2. 



