62 



of the Skunk, it -would seem that the strong scent has actually tended to 

 result in a more gregarious mode of life than is usual in this famiily of 

 mammals ; and it is certain, at any rate, that the occupancy by one ani- 

 mal of a permanent winter abode, serves to attract others to the same 

 retreat. Burrows are sometimes found to contain as many as a dozen in- 

 dividuals, not members of one family, but various adult animals drawn 

 together. One other effect of the possession of such unique powers is 

 seen not so much in mode of life as in the actual disposition of the crea- 

 tures. Its heedless familiarity, its temerity in pushing into places which 

 other animals instinctively avoid as dangerous, and its indisposition to 

 seek safety by hasty retreat, are evident results of its confidence in the 

 extraordinary means of defense with which it is provided. In specula- 

 ting upon the development of this anal armature to a degree which ren- 

 ders it subservient to purposes for which the glands of other Mustelinae, 

 though of similar character, are manifestly inadequate, it may not be 

 amiss to recall how defenceless the Skunk would otherwise be in com- 

 parison with its allies. A tardy terrestrial animal, of no great strength 

 or spirit, lacking the sagacity and prowess of the Wolverine, the scanso- 

 rial ability of the Martens, the agility, size, and prowess of the Ot- 

 ters, and even much of the eminent fossorial capacity of its nearest 

 relations, the Badgers — lacking all these qualities, which in their several 

 exhibitions conduce to the safety of the respective species, it is evident 

 that additional means of self-protection were required; while the abun- 

 dance of the animal in most parts of the country, and its audacity in the 

 face of danger, show that its confidence in the singular means of defense 

 it possesses is not misplaced." 



As long as the Skunk has been known, it is but a few years since the 

 anatomy of its peculiar defensive organs has been known. The first re- 

 liable rebord is that of Dr. Jefi'ries Wyman, in 1844, which are here 

 sran scribed : " The anal pouches are two glandular sacs of an oval shape, 

 about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, covered with a muscular 

 envelope, and opening into the rectum quite near to the anus by two 

 papillffi. These last, when not protruded, are surrounded by a fold of 

 mucous membrane, and very nearly concealed by it. The fluid is ejected 

 by the contractions of the muscular covering. A small band passes from 

 each Fac to the ischium, which- rotates these bodies on themselves, and 

 serves to bring their orifices to the anus. The fluid is a peculiar secre- 

 tion like that of the civet, and not the urine, as is commonly supposed. 

 The common opinion, that the animal scatters it with its tail, is erro- 

 neous. The fluid is limited in quantity, and having been discharged, 

 the animal is harmless until the sacs are again filled by gradual secre- 



