HISTORY OF VERMONT. 109 



the skunk discovers its extraordinary powers, 

 by a singular and most effectual method of de- 

 fence. It emits a fluid of the most nauseous 

 and intolerable scent, that has ever been known. 

 So odious, subtle, and penetrating, is this ill 

 scented matter, that there is no animal which 

 can long endure it, or will venture to approach 

 the skunk, when he is throwing it out. It in-^ 

 fects the air to the distance of half a mile all a- 

 round : And no method has been found, to ex* 

 tract the scent out of any object, on which the 

 odious fluid has been thrown. Time and air, 

 after a long period, afibrds the only complete 

 remedy. By accurate dissection lately made by 

 Dr. Mitchell^ it has been found that this ill scent- 

 ed fluid, is entirely distinct from the urine. It 

 is contained in two bags, situated in the poste- 

 rior parts of the body ; and suiTOunded by the 

 circular muscles in such a manner, that by their 

 constriction, the fluid is forced out with great 

 velocity and force. The urinary organs are 

 totally distinct from these bags.^ The female 

 produces a litter every year ; and they general- 

 ly amount to five or six in number. One of 

 these animals weighed seven pounds and aa 

 half, but whether it was one of the largest sizc^ 

 I cannot determine. 



The Martin is an animal, peculiar to cold 

 climates. It is found in large numbers in Ver- 

 mont, but chiefly in the most retired, and thick-^ 

 est parts of the woods. Its colour is a dark 

 brown, with tinges of yellow ; sometimes the 

 colour approaches to a black ; The fur is fine> 



• American PJmeum, Vol. V. p. 4? 7 . 

 VOL. I, O 



