44 STRIATED WEESEL. 



South America are partial to its flesh as food. One cir- 

 cumstance in this animal is very remarkable, that its 

 tongue is divided into lobes, and somewhat shaped like 

 an oak-leaf. 



The size of the Brasilian Weesel is nearly that of a hare. 

 Its general colour is reddish-brown, spotted with white on 

 the back, and whitish beneath. The hair on the back is 

 long and coarse ; and on the other parts, smooth, soft, and 

 glossy. The ears are small, rounded, and black at the 

 tip. The muzzle is lengthened into a snout, of a black 

 colour, which is movable in every direction. The tail, 

 of which the hair spreads out on each side, is nearly as 

 long as the body, of a brown colour, and has ten pale or 

 whitish rings. 



The Striated Weesel, or Skunk. In some parts of 

 North America these animals are very numerous. They 

 reside in holes, which they dig in the ground ; and are 

 seldom to be seen abroad, except during the night, 

 when they prowl about in search of food. If attacked, 

 their mode of defence is by emitting from their body a 

 vapour or stench, so horribly offensive, that scarcely 

 any creature is able to come within its influence. Some 

 writers have gone so far, as to assert that it may be smelt 

 at the distance of nearly half a mile. Clothes will retain 

 the odour for weeks after they are infected by it, however 

 often they be washed, or how long soever they may be 

 soaked in water. Provisions infected with it are totally 

 destroyed as food. Notwithstanding this,'the animals are 

 capable of being reduced to a state of domestication ; and, 

 in many parts of America, are tamed, and allowed to 

 run about the houses. In this state they are seldom 

 known to be, in any degree, offensive to their masters, 





