t& Quadrupeds. 



down the sides of the back. It feeds upon mice and 

 other small quadrupeds, and also in summer upon frogs. 

 The Skunk is of a stout and rather heavy form, and 

 runs but slowly, so that when pursued it would have 

 but a small chance of making its escape, but for a sin- 

 gular provision with which it has been endowed by 

 nature. This consists of a yellow fluid of the most hor- 

 rible odour, contained in a small bag or pouch under 

 the root of the tail ; which the creature is enabled 

 to discharge to a distance of more than four feet, so that 

 even if the noisome discharge does not actually reach 

 and smother the animal's pursuers, it forms between 

 them and their intended victim, a sort of invisible bar- 

 rier, which few noses are able to pass. The smell is so 

 strong that it has been known to produce sickness at 

 a distance of a hundred yards, and so persistent, that 

 the spot where a Skunk has been killed, will retain the 

 taint for many days. The flesh of this animal is, how- 

 ever, considered excellent food by the Indians. 



THE SABLE. (Mustela, or Martes Zibellina.) 



THIS animal is a native of Siberia, Kamtschatka, and 

 Asiatic Eussia, and it frequents the banks of rivers, 

 and the thickest parts of the woods. It lives in holes 

 under the ground, and especially under the roots of 

 trees ; but sometimes makes its nest, like the squirrel, 

 in the hollows of trees. The skin of the Sable is more 

 valuable than that of any other animal of equal size. 

 One of these skins, not more than four inches broad, 

 has sometimes been valued at as high a rate as fifteen 

 pounds ; but the general price is from one to ten pounds, 

 according to the quality. The Sable's fur is different 



