DOMESTIC PET. Ill 



removed. In his impatience the old gentleman went 

 on his hands and knees, and placed his head be- 

 tween the orifice in the floor to ascertain by ocular 

 proof the exact position of the skunk's den; but 

 scarcely had he reached the requisite position when 

 he was saluted over the face, eyes, and shoulders 

 with a perfect shower of odorous liquid, more power- 

 ful, but less pleasant, than any sold by perfumers. 

 For hours afterwards he remained completely blind. 

 His clothes were utterly destroyed, and although he 

 shaved off all the hair that adorned his visage, and 

 indulged in innumerable lavations, both hot and cold, 

 it was day^ before he could divest his person of the 

 obnoxious smell. 



The distinct longitudinal markings of black and 

 white which traverse the coat of this animal render 

 it very attractive to the sight, so that it has been 

 domesticated as a pet, but not before it has been 

 deprived of the gland that secretes the objectionable 

 liquid. In captivity it exhibits considerable sagacity, 

 with much demonstrative affection for those whom 

 it knows. 



A skunk possessed by a friend of mine, who 

 dwelt near Leavenworth, in the State of Kansas, 

 was allowed unrestricted liberty. Day after day it 

 would return from its wanderings with a partridge 

 or young hare. It would answer its master's call 

 with the readiness of a dog, sit erect to beg for food 

 when the family were taking their meals, and in cold 

 weather lie before the fire with a large cat, uttering 



