THE SQUASH. 309 



Description Insupportable odour. 



THE SQV4SH. 



THE squash, or stifling, is about the size of a 

 polecat. Its hair is long and of a deep brown 

 colour; and whether considered with respect to 

 its figure, odour, or disposition, it belongs to the 

 weasel kind; though it differs from all the other 

 varieties, in having only four instead of five toes 

 on the fore-feet. It is a native of Mexico, and 

 is principally found in subterraneous holes, exca- 

 vated rocks, &c. where the female brings forth 

 her young. Its food, for the most part, consists 

 of beetles, worms, and small birds, and it is very 

 destructive to poultry, of which, however, it only 

 eats the brains. 



When alarmed or irritated, this animal emits 

 the most horrid scent, which is, in fact, its chief 

 means of protection. When pursued it does all 

 in its power to escape,' but if driven to an extre- 

 mity, it discharges its urine upon the hunters; 

 this is of so virulent a nature as to occasion cer- 

 tain blindness if any of it happen to fall into the 

 eyes, and if it but touch any part of a man's 

 garment it is more than probable that he can 

 never wear it again. The dogs themselves abate 

 of their ardor when they find this extraordinary 

 battery played off against them: they instantly 

 turn tail, and leave the animal undisputed master 

 .of the field; and no exhortations can ever induce 

 them to rally. 



