own vile smell, we can hardly predict a wide popularity for this 

 remedy. 



Since the beaver, marten, mink and otter have become more 

 rare, the heavy, lustrous fur of the skunk has been extensively 

 used in the manufacture of fur neckpieces, muffs, garments, etc. 

 This thick covering is a very necessary protection to the animal it- 

 self, as he spends the greater part of the cold weather in the open. 

 It is, to be sure, his custom to hibernate in some burrow in the deep 

 woods for a short time each year. Here, two or three families may 

 sleep away the very coldest months, all together in one hole; but 

 early in February they are astir and again busy at their task of find- 

 ing a living. 



209 



