vin THE SKUNK, CALMLY CONSIDERED 239 



before success with the foxes begins. A slight 

 compensation is made by the fact that the taint 

 left about the setting-place attracts more foxes; 

 and trappers know that skunk-flesh is their best 

 bait. Sometimes when a skunk has been caught 

 by the foot he will free himself by self-amputation. 

 In such cases " they seldom get in a second time, 

 as in their weak and mutilated condition they fall 

 an easy prey to the fox, who is fond of their flesh : 

 so much so that he will sometimes gnaw off the 

 leg by which the skunk is held in the trap, and 

 carry off his booty to be eaten at leisure." 



The wolf, on the other hand, from indifference 

 to caution, blind ferocity, and pure courage, seems 

 to take no such care. He knows he can easily 

 run down this slow-footed animal, and simply rushes 

 at him with open jaws. If, as usually happens, 

 no doubt, he gets a blast which burns his eyes and 

 mouth, and stifles him for the moment, he may 

 halt, but, maddened with pain and rage, will rush 

 again at the little animal the instant he recovers 

 vision and breath, and make mince-meat of it in 

 half a minute. 



That this picture of the behavior of the wolf is 

 substantially accurate is shown not only by what 

 we actually know of both the gray wolf and coyote, 

 but by the behavior of dogs, any of which that 

 have any hunt in them, will dash at a skunk with 

 the utmost fury, whenever they get a chance, and 

 without an instant's hesitation. If the little beast 



