280 lliSTOKY OF 



fivet to be described hereiirtcr, a most grateful perfume ; but in 

 ihe weasel, tlie ermine, tlie i'erret, and the polecat, it is extremely 

 foetid and offensive. These glands in the animals now undei 

 consideration are much larger, and furnish a matter sublimed to 

 a degi-ee of pntrescence that is truly amazing. As to the per- 

 fumes of musk and civet, we know that a single grain will dif- 

 fuse itself over a whole house, and continue for months to spread 

 «n agreeable odour, without diminution. However, the perfume 

 of the musk or the civet is nothing, either for strength or dura- 

 tion, to the insupportable odour of these. It is usually voided 

 with their excrement ; and if but a single drop happens to touch 

 any part of a man's garment, it is more than probable that he can 

 never wear any part of it more. 



In describing the effects produced by the excrement of these 

 animals, we often hear of its raising this diabolical smell by its 

 urine. However, of this I am apt to doubt ; and it should 

 seem to me, that, as the weasel kind have their excrements so 

 extremely foetid from the cause above mentioned, we may con- 

 sider these also as being foetid from the same causes. Besides, 

 they are not furnished with glands to give their urine such a 

 smell ; and the analogy between them and the weasel kind being 

 so strong in other respects, we may suppose they resemble each 

 other in this. It has also been said, that they take this method 

 of ejecting their excrement to defend themselves against their 

 pursuers ; but it is much more probable that this ejection is the 

 convulsive effect of terror, and it that serves as their defence with- 

 out their own concurrence. Certain it is, that they never smell 

 thus horridly except when enraged or affrighted, for they are 

 often kept tame about the houses of the planters of America 

 without being very offensive. 



The habitudes of these animals are the same, living like all 

 the rest of the weasel kind, as they prey upon smaller birds and 

 birds' eggs. The squash, for instance, burrows like the pole-cat 

 in the clefts of rocks, where it brings forth its young. It often 

 steals into farm-yards, and kills the poultry, eating only their 

 brains. Nor is it safe to pursue or offend it, for then it calls 

 up ail its. scents, vi'hich are its most powerful protection. At 

 that time neither men nor dogs will offer to approach it ; the 

 scent is so strong that it reaches for half a mile round, and more 

 near at hand is almost stifling. If the dogs continue to pursue, il 



