SKUNK. 139 



inferior. The western skins have red pelts, and meet 

 with little favour. 



The skins arrive in New York covered with green fat, 

 which is scraped off before shipping, an operation 

 wdiich is far from pleasant. The Canadian skins are 

 cleansed and well handled by the Indians, and are 

 therefore always sent in good condition. 



The quantity of Skunk skins imported has increased 

 considerably of late years. In 1891, 12,583 skins were 

 sold by the Hudson's Bay Company, and in 1890, 678,191 

 by other traders, quantities which would have been 

 considered enormous some years ago. Previous to 1840 

 Skunk skins were considered almost valueless, and were 

 sold in the Sundry-lots of the Company's sale. 



The value of a best black skin varies from 7s. to 10s. 

 although 13s. is sometimes paid. White, and inferior 

 skins fetch from 3d. to 2s., and striped realize from 

 2s. to 7s. This skin is used all over Europe and 

 America, for muffs, capes, etc. 



White skins are sometimes dyed black or dark brown. 



The American Opossum and the Skunk occasionally 

 interbreed, the pelt partaking of the thin texture of the 

 Opossum, with a slight feeling of harshness, which is 

 always found in that of the Skunk. The Skunk has 

 been known to interbreed with the American Squirrel. 

 The tail is sparingly covered with black hair, intermixed 

 with white ; the hair is short and of fine texture. The 

 Skunk lives in burrows, and is nocturnal. It has twelve 

 teats. 



Dr. Eichardson, in the " North American Fauna " (page 

 56), says : — " It breeds once a year, and has six to ten 

 young at a time." 



Dr. Mivart, in the "Proceedings of the Zoological 

 Society," 1885, page 370, says : — " The Skunk is very 



