CHAPTEK XXVI 

 THE MEPHITIS-MEPHITICA 



MEPHITIS-MEPHITICA is the scientific name of an 

 industrious and interesting little animal whose habitat 

 reaches from the Carolinas to the frozen land lying 

 around Hudson's Bay, and from New York state to the 

 Pacific coast. 



Mephitis has no friends none whatever. He is 

 hated by the humblest of animals, and feared by the 

 biggest and strongest, including the grizzly bear him- 

 self. He works mostly by night, is stealthy in his 

 habits, is personally very cleanly. 



His coat is black and white, and the black is as glossy 

 as satin. He has a small head, with small blinking 

 eyes. His principal adornment is a very showy tail, 

 which tail he usually carries in an erect position. He 

 is a sort of mammalian peacock as he walks around 

 with his tail hoisted, and an " I-dare-you-to-knock-the- 

 chip-off-my-shoulder " air, and every other animal, even 

 man himself, is content to let him alone. 



This description is deemed necessary by reason of 

 some happenings that have lately come to us in the 

 pursuit of big game ; and, remember, mephitis is not 



