extending back from nuchal patch. Tail very short and bushy, 
black externally, most of the hairs white at base. Total length 
607-675 mm. [24—26.5 in.]. Tail vertebrae, 177-190 mm. [7-7.5 
ii wai: TOot,,65 mn.. [2,56 in|." 
Skunks are found in all situations in the county, being most 
common about the pastures and bluffs, but are nowhere very 
abundant. As they are the least shy of all our larger mammals and 
make their presence known in a variety of ways, they-are not apt to 
be overlooked in any locality. 
Skunks walk on the soles of the feet, with the body somewhat 
arched and the tail more or less elevated. When disturbed they 
erect the long hair on the back and tail, displaying to the fullest the 
contrasting black and white as a warning. The tail is waved 
vigorously, giving rise to the impression that the offensive liquid 
which the animal secretes is flung on its enemies by that means. As 
a matter of fact, it is ejected in slender jets from glands near the 
anus. The secretion is a straw-colored fluid lighter than water, 
containing a number of organic substances called mercaptans. In- 
haled in large quantities, the vapor acts as an anesthetic, produ- 
cing unconsciousness, heavy breathing, and coldness of extremities. 
It would undoubtedly prove fatal if inhaled too long. 
This secretion seems to be an extreme development of what is 
common to other animals, especially minks and weasels, which are 
the skunk’s nearest relatives. What in them is probably a second- 
ary sexual character, by which the sexes detect or allure each 
other, has become in the skunk, by further development, its most 
potent defense, on which it depends almost entirely for its safety. 
It is clumsy in its movements, can neither climb nor swim well, and 
yet no other mammal in the state is so independent and shows such 
indifference to its enemies. 
The dens of skunks are chiefly burrows, but it is said that nests 
are sometimes made by these animals in stumps, hollow trees, etc. 
They occasionally take refuge under barns or even beneath houses. 
They are said to be gregarious, a large number—not all of the same 
family—being found in one den. They are chiefly nocturnal in their 
habits, though their indifference to danger allows them to remain 
abroad till daylight. 
Skunks probably make use of all kinds of animal food that they 
can get. They are preeminently insect eaters, destroying enor- 
