MEPHITIS MEPHITICA. 



83 



zoologist than the accurate and sagacious Dr. Richard Harlan was 

 (mis-) led to write that these animals emit, " particularly when dis- 

 turbed, a most nauseous, detestable odor, proceeding from the liquor 

 of the anal glands, which they mix with the urine ; with this fluid 

 they wet the tail, and scatter it to a considerable distance."''' No 

 statement could have less foundation in fact. The Skunk is a very 

 cleanly beast, and, when about to discharge his scent, arches his tail 

 high over his back so that it may not be defiled by the fluid. The 

 scent is thrown by the contraction of the thick muscular tunic in 

 which the glands are imbedded 



^d. WJien do tJicy part with it ? 



It is commonly believed, by the community at large, that a Skunk 

 is always ready to spatter anyone that chances to come within range. 

 Nothing could be wider from the truth. A Skunk generally waits till 

 he is hurt before discharging his battery, and I have more than once 

 seen a dog get fairly hold of the beast before the emission occurred. 

 Indeed, I have never known one to eject a single drop of the 

 precious fluid except when hard pressed and very much excited — 

 and it takes considerable to excite an adult Skunk. When caught 

 in steel traps not more than one in twenty will smell, and the re- 

 mainingr nineteen suffer themselves to be tormented to an astonish- 

 ing degree before " opening the valve." One may, with considera- 

 ble confidence, approach one when in a trap, take hold of the chain,- 

 and drag the trap and contents to any convenient place, provided he 

 goes slowly and makes no sudden move. Never but once has my 

 confidence been betrayed while thus engaged. It was when at- 

 tempting to drag a young Skunk out of its hole, into which it had 

 retreated with the trap ; and I was well sprinkled in the operation. 

 These unsophisticated juveniles, when harassed, get excited far 

 more easily than their parents, and sometimes " squirt " upon in- 

 sufficient provocation. 



* Fauna Americana, 1825, p. 6g. 



