444 STORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



sharp, and strong. It has an average length, excluding the 

 tail, of about twenty-six inches, while the tail ranges from 

 twelve to fourteen inches. 



Like its family in general, it is not very odorous when 

 aroused by anger, as it secretes a fluid in the anal glands 

 which is very disagreeable when discharged. It is an ar- 

 rant thief in character, and neither traps nor caches are 

 safe from its depredations ; it will even steal the most use- 

 less articles, and hide them with the cunning of a profes- 

 sional burglar. Camps and cabins are rifled in the most 

 careful manner by this kleptomaniac during the absence of 

 the proprietors, and what it cannot eat it destroys or con- 

 ceals. It is caught very frequently in steel -traps or in 

 dead -falls made of large logs, the bait being generally a 

 piece of meat or some small animal, such as a rat or a 

 squirrel, which has been sprinkled with castoreum. It is 

 one of the greatest enemies the trapper has, as it will fol- 

 low a line of marten traps for fifty miles, should they 

 extend that distance, and devour all the captives. The 

 young, which generally number four or five at a time, are 

 brought forth in burrows, and while these are sucking the 

 mother is seldom seen ; but should she be encountered, she 

 would fight as courageously as any animal living in de- 

 fence of her cubs. 



The fur of this creature is so highly prized for carriage 

 robes that professional trappers consider themselves fort- 

 unate if they can get a few peltries, as they bring good 

 prices, generally from four to ten dollars each. These men 

 say that it will scatter its excretions over all food it may 

 have concealed, to prevent other animals from touching it ; 

 and so fetid are these in scent that even a starving wolf 

 will not approach any object under their protection. 



The wolverene is probably one of the most ferocious an- 

 imals known, when attacked or wounded, and, for its size, 

 it is also one of the strongest — a fact which may be infer- 

 red from the ease with which it will pull down a disabled 

 deer. It is not only brave but daring; for it will boldly 

 enter a cabin when hungry, and fight, if forced to it, for 



