SECRETARY'S REPORT. 161 



much the longest ; tail long and bushy, two glands near the anus secrete 

 a dis"-ustingly fetid liquid, which is used as a means of defence. Animals 

 in this genus are almost entirely nocturnal in habits, and their food is 

 animal in nature. 



.Mejihitis mephitica, (Shaw.) — Skunk. 



This animal is, unfortunately, quite common in this State. Its thor- 

 ou"-hly wicked character and peculiar weapon of defence have rendered 

 it universally detested, its destruction being regarded as meriting the 

 hio'hest approbation. Its only recommendation is, that it destroys 

 quantities of insects, both in the larva and perfect state. Its habits are 

 almost entirely nocturnal, although it is often seen in the daytime 

 especially in spring. Unless provided with a gun, it is always best to 

 give it a wide berth, an encounter in any other case resulting in a total 

 and inglorious defeat. On coming suddenly on it, it immediately faces 

 you, with its tail erect, or lying flat along the back, its little black eyes 

 sparkling maliciously. Woe to you unless you stand perfectly still, 

 until it walks leisurely away ; the least movement of yours being surely 

 purchased by an ejection, often in your face and eyes, — its aim being 

 very accurate, — of a liquid with a most intensely and disgustingly nause- 

 ating odor, which, if it reaches the eye, produces an inflammation and 

 partial blindness, and causes the skin to become inflamed and vesiculated. 

 The glands in which this liquid is secreted are situated near the anus ; 

 they are very muscular, capable by contraction, of throwing the liquid 

 twelve or fourteen feet. This liquid is of a yellowish color, is very 

 acrid, and at night is luminous. The skunk, when ejecting it, lays its 

 tail flat on its back, throwing little jets of a few drops at a time, with 

 great precision. 



Dogs share in the universal hatred for this animal, and will always 

 attack it, even if their experience warns them what to expect. A young 

 pointer with which I was once shooting, came to a point at a little bunch 

 of bushes, which I could not make him enter. Supposing that there 

 might be a covey of quails or partridges lying close, I entered cautiously, 

 hoping to get a double shot. In the interior of the bushes was a little 

 patch of grass, perhaps three or four rods in area, where a skunk, its 

 tail erect stood ready to give me a warm welcome ; of course I stopped 

 and naturally stepped back, just as one would if he saw a rattlesnake 

 across his path. My dog being at my heels brushed rather quickly by 

 me, and before I could stop him, entered the space where stood the 

 skunk, his wicked little black eyes twinkling in anger. They stood 

 facing each other for a moment, when the dog, not knowing the nature 

 of the job he was undertaking, made a rush at the skunk who met him 

 with a volley in the face and eyes that sent him rolling on the ground, 

 yelling and digging his head in the earth and acting as if mad with 



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