FUR ANIMALS. 449 



sity for it, the stench alone which it exhales is enough to 

 make its superiors in physical strength scamper away from 

 it. It roams abroad principally at night, but it is also often 

 out in the daytime. 



This creature has a total length of about fourteen inches; 

 and its fur, which is soft, thick, and fine in the Northern 

 latitudes, becomes white in winter, when it is in the best 

 condition for the market. This is a favorite far on the 

 Continent for several purposes ; hence it is nearly always 

 in active demand. There are two or three other species of 

 the weasel in the country, but they amount to little in the 

 fur market. 



MU8QTJA8U, OE AMEHIOAX MUSK-RATS. 



Of the musk-rat, polecat, and badger little need be said, 

 as they are well known. The former is amphibious; the 

 second is famous for its destructive character, courage, and 

 perfume bag; and the third is notorious for its combative- 

 ness and its nocturnal habits. The skin of the skunk is 

 now becoming so popular that thousands of this animal 

 are killed annually, to supply the increasing demand. The 

 sooner they are all made into robes the better will the 

 Western pioneers like it; for not only is the creature of- 



