NATURAL HISTORY. 81 



" Out of my door, you witch, you rag, you baggage, you 

 pole-cat .'" SIIAKSPKKK. 



raised a little above the ground, following the exact track taken by its destined 

 prey. Should it lose the scent, it returns to the point where it was lost, and 

 quarters the ground with great diligence till it has recovered it, and thus, by dint 

 of perseverance, will ultimately hunt down a swifter and even a stronger animal 

 *han itself, tut this is not all : in the pertinacity of its pursuit it will readily 

 take the water, and swim with great ease after its prey. 



247. What gave rise to the saying of " Stinking like a 

 polecat ? " 



The pole-cat is provided with small glands on the posterior part 

 of the body which secrete a fluid possessing a most offensive odour. 

 The purpose of this odour has been held to be the protection of 

 the pole-cat from animals that otherwise would prey upon it. 



2^8. A similar power is possessed by numerous animals called mephitic (offensive to 

 the smell). Of these the chinche appears to possess it in a high degree. The 

 offensive odour is confined exclusively to the apparatus by means of which it is 

 produced and emitted ; and when this is removed, the offensiveness ceases. When 

 the aukiial is pursued and annoyed the battery is discharged, not in mere gas, but in 

 a liquid, which instantly evaporates, and is so buoyant and dispersive, and 

 at the same time so powerful, that it will taint the air for a mile or for several 

 miles round. When near at hand, it is perfectly intolerable, and the staunchest dog 

 is instantly arrested by it. 



The following brief story is told by Kalmer : " In the year 1749, one of 

 these animals came near the farm where I lived. It was in winter, during the 

 light, and the dogs that were on the watch pursued it for some time, until it 

 discharged against them. Although I was in my bed a good way off, I thought I 

 should be suffocated ; and the cows and oxen by their lowings showed how much 

 they were affected by the stench. About the end of the same year another of these 

 animals crept into our cellar, but did not exhale the smallest scent, because it was not 

 disturbed. A foolish woman, however, who perceived it at night by the shining 

 of its eyes, killed it, and at that moment its stench began to spread. The whole 

 cellar was filled with it to such a degree that the woman kept her bed for several 

 days afterwards, and all the bread and meat and other provisions that were kept 

 there were so affected that they were thrown out of doors." 



249. If hat originated the proverb, " He builds closely with dry 

 stones who can build out the 



Because the animal has such extreme flexibility of body that it 

 has been known to worm its body through a hole less than three 

 inches in diameter. It is also a very expert climber, and cun 

 ascend a wall or a tree with the utmost celerity. 



