266 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



all of which possess this wonderful faculty of annoy- 

 ing" their enemies from the same quarter. 



Some turn their tail to their pursuers, and emit a 

 most horrible stench, which keeps both Dogs and 

 men at a considerable distance. Others eject their 

 urine to the distance of several feet; and it is of so 

 virulent a quality, as almost to occasion blindness, 

 if any of it should happen to fall into the eyes. 

 Clothes infected with it retain the smell for many 

 days: no washing 1 can make them sweet; but they 

 must be even buried in fresh soil before they can be 

 thoroughly cleansed. Dogs that are not properly 

 bred, turn back as soon as they feel the smell: 

 those that have been accustomed to it, will kill the 

 animal; but are obliged to relieve themselves by 

 thrusting their noses into the ground. 



The Stifling or Squash, which is the second 

 variety, is nearly of the same size as the Skunk. 

 Its hair is long, and of a deep brown colour. It 

 lives in holes and clefts of rocks, where the female 

 brings forth her young. It is a native of Mexico, 

 and feeds on Beetles, Worms, and small birds. It 

 destroys poultry, of which it eats only the brains. 

 When afraid, or irritated, it voids the same offensive 

 kind of odour, which no creature dares venture to 

 approach. Professor Kalm was in danger of being 

 suffocated by one that was pursued into a house 

 where he slept ; and it affected the cattle so much, 

 that they bellowed through pain. Another, which 

 was killed by a maid-servant in a cellar, so affected 

 her with its stench, that she lay ill for several days : 

 all the provisions that were in the place were so 

 tainted by the smell, as to be utterly unfit for use. 



Another variety is called the Conepate, and is, 

 perhaps, no more than the female of the last- 



