The Smaller Carnivora 



129 



Photo by A. S. Rudland <t Sons. 



A SKUNK. 



An American animal, noted chiefly for the scent-gland it possesses, from which it 

 emits a most obnoxious-smelling fluid. 



THE SKUNKS. 



OF all the strange equipments 

 given by nature to animals for their 

 protection that possessed by the various 

 species of SKUNK is the most effec- 

 tive. These animals are able to emit 

 a fluid so vile in odour that it seems 

 equally hateful to all animals. Dogs, 

 pumas, men, alike shun them, and the 

 animals seem to know this and to pre- 

 sume on their immunity. An ordinary 

 skunk is about the size of a cat, 

 black, with bright white stripes down 

 the sides and back. The fur is thick 

 and handsome, and, if the animal be 

 killed before it discharges its fluid, 

 is not too strongly odorous to make 

 trimmings for jackets. Mr. Hudson, 



in his " Naturalist in La Plata," says : " In talking to strangers from abroad, I have 

 never thought it necessary to speak of the dangers of sunstroke, jaguars, or the assassin's 

 knife. But I have never omitted to warn them of the skunk, minutely describing its habits 

 and personal appearance. I knew an Englishman who, on taking a first gallop across the 

 Pampas, saw one, and, quickly dismounting, hurled himself bodily on to it to effect its 

 capture. Poor man ! He did not know that the animal is never unwilling to be caught. 

 Men have been blinded by them for ever by a discharge of the fiery liquid in their faces. 

 The smell pervades the whole system of any one subjected to it, like a pestilent ether, 

 nauseating the victim till sea-sickness seems pleasant in comparison." Dogs can be taught to 

 kill skunks; but they show the greatest disgust and horror when the fluid of the animal 



falls upon them, and 

 sometimes roll in mud 

 or dust in the en- 

 deavour to get rid 

 of it. 



THE BADGERS. 



THE BADGERS in- 

 clude several genera. 

 The SAND-BADGERS of 

 the East have a naked 

 snout, small ears, and 

 rough fur, with softer 

 fur underneath. The 

 INDIAN BADGER is 

 larger than that of 

 Europe, while that of 

 Java, Sumatra, and 

 Borneo is smaller, and 

 has a very short tail. 



The FERRET- 

 BADGERS from the 

 East have elongated 



17 



Photo by C. Reid] 



[ Wishaw, N.B. 



A BADGER IN THE WATER. 



Badgers are increasing in many parts of England. They are nocturnal animals. 



