HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



265 



THE SKUNK. 



(Viverra Putorius, Linn. Le Conepate, Buff.) 



IT is called the Chinchc by the natives of Brazil, 

 and is about the size of a common Cat. Its nose is 

 long and slender, and extends a considerable way 

 beyond the lower jaw: its ears are large, short, and 

 rounded; a white stripe extends from the nose over 

 the forehead and along the back, where it is inter- 

 sected with a small line of black, commencing at the 

 tail, and extending upwards along the middle of the 

 back; its belly and legs are black; its hair is long, 

 especially on the tail, which is thick and bushy. 



It inhabits Peru, Brazil, and other parts of South 

 America; and is likewise found in North America, 

 as far as Canada. 



It is remarkable for a most intolerable suffo- 

 cating, fetid vapour, Avhich it emits from behind, 

 when attacked, pursued, or frightened. The stench 

 of this effluvium is insupportable, and is the 

 creature's best means of defence. 



There are three or four varieties, mentioned by 

 M. Buffon under the name of the Stinking Polecats; 



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