THE SKUNKS. 307 



ears of the Ratel are extremely short. The lighter tur of the back is 

 variously tinted in different individuals, some being of the whitish-gray 

 which has been already mentioned, and others remarkable for a decided 

 tinge of red. The length of the Cape Ratel is rather more than three 

 feet, inclusive of the tail, which is about eight inches in length. 



In captivity the Ratel is very lively and amusing. The writer has 

 often watched one in the Zoological Gardens in London, and can con- 

 firm the account given by Wood in his Natural History. 



" In the enclosure that has been allotted to this animal, the Ratel has, 

 by dint of constantly running in the same direction, made for itself an 

 oval path among the straw that is laid upon the ground. It proceeds 

 over the course which it has worked out, in a quick active trot, and every 

 time that it reaches either end of the course, it puts its head on the 

 ground, turns a complete summersault, and resumes its course. At in- 

 tervals, it walks into its bath, rolls about in the water for a second or 

 two, and then addresses itself with renewed vigor to its curious 

 antics." 



GENUS ICTONYX. 



The two species which have been formed into this genus are natives 

 of Africa, and have a remarkable dentition, while in skeleton they seem 

 to be midway between the Martens and the Skunks proper. 



The ZORILLA, Ictonyx capcnsis, or Zorilla striata, is found throughout 

 Africa, and even m Asia Minor. The Dutch of the Cape style it the 

 muislinnd or " mousedog," an honorable title given it, because it destroys 

 so many of those little rodents. It is somewhat inactive, and avoids 

 water whenever it can, although it is an excellent swimmer when forced 

 to take to the water. 



The color of specimens of this animal vary considerably, but they all 

 have the same marks. In some, a broad white transverse band crosses 

 the back of the head, from it four longitudinal bands run down the back, 

 separated by three black stripes ; the two outer white stripes are pro- 

 longed on the tail. In others, the whole back is white, with the three 

 black longitudinal stripes. 



The Zorilla emits an obnoxious odor which it uses like the skunk, and 

 drives dogs and hunters to ignominious flight. The very touch of a dead 

 Zorilla leaves a permanent odor on whatever has been in contact with it. 



