MICHIGAN 253 



animal," does not include those of its own or allied 

 families. As I have just said, no beast of prey devours 

 those of its own kind, except under abnormal circum- 

 stances. 



The fur of the skunk is by no means to be despised. 

 It is superior to that of many animals which find a ready 

 market. The skin is not tainted with the fetid odour 

 of the fundamental glands. The old school of trappers 

 would not strip a skunk ; but their brethren of the 

 present day are wiser, and at a time when all sorts of 

 furs are growing scarce, have found that it pays to 

 collect skunk skins. I have met with old trappers who 

 always kill and bury these animals when they meet with 

 them, alleging that if they get into their traps, no other 

 animal can afterwards be cauoht in them. I have, over 

 and over again, proved that this is an error, or perhaps a 

 superstition. 



The fact that the skunk can, and often does, eject 

 its offensive fluid when dogs or men seize them, is a 

 strong point in favour of those who believe in the de- 

 fensive theory. Many animals emit their urine when 

 captured. The badger, to which the skunk is closely 

 allied (it is a badger, in my opinion), does so, and so do 

 many stoats, polecats, &c. ; and I have noticed the same 

 thing when handling bull-frogs and other batrachians. 

 The subject of anal secretions is a difficult one, but I 

 cannot get away from the opinion that sex is the only 

 reasonable explanation. For instance, why are certain 

 species of deer, civets, &c., furnished with musk glands, 

 if not for purely sexual reasons ? No one has ever yet 

 suggested that the odour of miisk is a defence to the 

 animal possessing it ; yet musk, which is a pleasant odour 

 to man, is most offensive to some other animals. 



I come now to treat of the American tree-squirrels. 

 No man can penetrate the American forests far without 

 noticing the squirrels. They are abundant in many 

 parts of Canada and the North- West, but I have thought 



