THE SKUNK 



{Mephitis mcpkitua} 



EVER since the pioneers of civilisation in America made his acquaint- 

 ance, the Skunk has enjoyed a reputation a good deal wider than it was 

 high, on account of his remarkable power for making himself objection- 

 able when interfered with. 



He is a member of the Weasel family, but is a clumsy, slow, heavily- 

 built animal compared to the typical Weasels, nor has he their strength 

 and ferocity, though his comparative immunity from molestation by other 

 animals gives him impudence. 



The illustration well shows the colour of his pied coat, but the amount 

 of black and white on it varies a great deal ; the latter colour is always, 

 however, on the upper surface. The tail in some varieties forms a 

 beautiful white brush, which the beast holds aloft as a kind of danger- 

 flag in his nightly walks abroad. 



Secure in his defensive artillery, he does not hurry himself, and shows 

 hardly any fear of man ; indeed, such is the respect in which he is held 

 that no one will venture to drive over him, and if he comes into camp 

 and starts rifling one's provision basket, he cannot be summarily ejected 

 for fear of consequences, for any article tainted with his odoriferous 

 secretion is useless ever afterwards. 



This powerful fluid is of a yellow colour, and clear ; it is contained in 

 two sacs situated under the tail, and can be ejected to a distance of three 

 or four yards. Its offensiveness consists not only in its vile smell, but 

 in its appalling pungency ; it painfully affects even a Dog an animal which 

 has a decided taste for some smells which are highly objectionable to us 

 and if it reaches the eye gives rise to much pain and serious inflam- 

 mation. If the animal is killed instantaneously, as by a shot through 

 the head, it has no chance to avenge its death, but of course this is 

 not always practicable, so that the Skunk is habitually treated with a 

 deference as great as it is begrudged. 



