28 ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 



try. Its peculiar organs of self-defence render it, however, 

 highly interesting to the naturalist : these are, a most fetid 

 discharge, sickening in the extreme, and most difficult to get 

 rid of, not proceeding from the bladder, as it is usually 

 thought, nor distributed by its tail over its enemies, as has 

 been supposed, but which is ejected at will by muscular ex- 

 ertion from two glands at the root of that organ, which it at the 

 same time elevates, in order to prevent it coming in contact 

 with the detestable matter, which must be as injurious to 

 itself, as to its enemies. These discharges, at night are said 

 to be luminous. It is a curious circumstance that it never 

 makes use of this provision of nature, unless attacked by a 

 larger animal than itself. It is altogether nocturnal, being 

 most active just after evening closes in, or immediately 

 before day-break. It generally makes its own burrow, feeds 

 on birds and their eggs, frogs, field-mice, and other small 

 quadrupeds. Its fur is coarse, and of no value. 



The following interesting sketch of the skunk is taken from 

 Godman. " Persons called by business or pleasure to ramble 

 through the country during the morning or evening twilight, 

 occasionally see a small and pretty animal a short distance 

 before them in the path, scampering forward without appear- 

 ing much alarmed, and advancing in a zig-zag or somewhat 

 serpentine direction. Experienced persons generally delay 

 long enough to allow this unwelcome fellow traveller to with- 

 draw from their path ; but it often happens that a view of 

 the animal arouses the ardor of the observer, who, in his 

 fondness for sport, thinks not of any result but that of secur- 

 ing his prize. It would be more prudent to rest content with 

 pelting this quadruped from a safe distance, or to drive it 

 away by shouting loudly ; but almost all inexperienced per- 

 sons, the first time such an opportunity occurs, rush 

 forward with intent to run the animal down. This appears 

 to be an easy task ; in a few moments it is almost overtaken ; 

 a few more strides and the victim may be grasped by its long 



