manner far more helpful to man. The small creature is, at most 

 times, an omnivorous insect eater and, with his family of from six 

 to ten each season, consumes immense quantities of beetles, grass- 

 hoppers and the like ; he is also very fond of mice and other small 

 field animals. 



The secretion, which has brought the skunk into such disfavor, 

 is contained in two glands situated at the base of the tail and may 

 be retained or expelled at will. On the approach of a foe the tail is 

 raised to a perpendicular position, the back is turned toward the 

 enemy and the ill-scented fluid ejected, sometimes to a distance of 

 from twelve to eighteen feet. The odor is most penetrating as well 

 as enduring and no other animal seems inclined to prove his valor by 

 a. contest with so well-armed an adversary unless forced or surprised 

 into doing so. Some authorities tell us that this liquid is of 

 medicinal value in the treatment of asthmatic ailments ; as they also 

 add, however, that its continued use causes the patient to emit its 



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