MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 89 
‘skunks and badgers agree in many points of external conform- 
ation; in fact Conepatus mapurito, one of the skunks is almost 
as much of a badger, to all outward appearance.” 
As regards the one peculiarity of this sub-family without 
which a skunk would be no skunk, it may be interesting to 
quote again from Dr. Coues (1. c. p. 191): ‘In contemplating 
this singular provision of nature for the protection of an other- 
wise inoffensive and almost defenseless creature, we can but 
admire the simplicity of the means employed. Some little 
further development of glands common to the Mustelide and 
some inscrutable modification of the operations in the secretory 
follicles, which gives a peculiar character to the fluid elabor- 
ated, results in means of self-preservation as singular as it is 
efficacious, habitual reliance upon which changes the economy 
of the animal and impresses its whole nature.” For a descrip- 
tion of the glands see beyond. 
The account given by Chatin inthe Annalesdes Sciences Natur- 
elles, 1874, furnishes us with the following facts regarding the 
anatomy of these parts in the South American genus Conepatus: 
The glandular part, beginning 33 mm. from the prostrate gland, is 
nearly trapezoidal and lies beneath the urethra. It is enveloped in a 
thick muscular tunic constituted chiefly by fibres from the ischio-caver- 
nous and bulbo-cavernous muscles and about 3 mm. thick. Within these 
muscular layers is the-glandular portion proper occupying but a limited 
part of the surface of the reservoir. The ceca of the follicles, 0.55 mm in 
diameter, are of various shapes. The reservoir itself is very large and 
covered by a thick tunic of dense, white, laminated tissue and elastic 
fibres. Toward the anterior part of the cavity is the inner opening of the 
duct. The ducts open outwardly in two papille situated on either side 
the anus, about 9 mm. from the median line. These papille together 
with the anus itself, are hidden by flaps of skin covering the entire de- 
pression in which both are found. 
The account of Dr. J. S. Parker of the anatomy of the anal 
glands of Mephitis being the only one which touches upon the 
physical characters of the secretion itself, we transcribe a por- 
tion of the article. American Naturalist, 1871, p. 246. 
“JT examined the cavity of the pelvic bones, without any peculiar result, 
and at last detached all except the hard, muscular pouches and the commen 
fundamental aperture. TheseI carefully cut loose, and thus reduced 
the formidable animal to the last and least parts possible, and they 
seemed totally inadequate to explain the well-known effect which this 
animal produces. I next boldly severed, longitudinally, the rectum and 
anus; nothing was to be seen worthy of remark, except two teat-like pro- 
jections in two volcanic or crater-like cavities that seemed suggestive of 
what might happen. SoI cut away all the remaining superfluous parts 
—& 
