54 



and eat them in spite of their odor, as do also some of the preying birds. 

 Insects, birds' eggs, and young, small mice, and frogs are their ordinary 

 food ; occasionally they secure a rabbit in his burrow. 



Uses — The Skunk yields a handsome fur, which is put on the market 

 under the name of " Alaska Sable." The Hudson's Bay Company handle 

 a thousand or more yearly. The pelt is one of the staples of American 

 furriers, thousands being yearly exported to Europe. The black furs are 

 the most valuable, often selling for a dollar each. 



No special skill is required for their capture ; they are easier trapped 

 than disposed of. They are taken readily in fox-trapj carelessly set. 

 It is customary to clear them off the range before attempting to take the 

 Fox. The Fox is fond of the Skunk's flesh, and it is often used to bait 

 the fox-traps. The Skunk, once trapped, is easily choked by a running 

 wire noose attached to a long pole in the hands of the trapper, who thus 

 escapes defilement. 



Mr. Maynard states that, in Flori'da, the Little Striped Skunk is do- 

 mesticated and used as Cats, the scent-glands being removed at an early 

 age. Dr. J. W. Warren has put the Common Skunk under the influence 

 of an anaesthetic, and severed the ducts of the anal glands by cutting 

 down on the outside of the intestine, suffering the glands to remain in 

 their normal position. The adhesive inflammation resulting deprives 

 the animal- effectually of its me?ns of annoyance. 



Regarding the domestication of the Skunk, Dr. Coues discourses, face- 

 tiously, as follows : " The different species of Skunks, in fact, seein to 

 be susceptible of ready semi-domestication, in which state thej' are, like 

 the Fitch or Ferret, useful in destroying vermin, if they do not also make 

 agreeable pets. Writers speak of the removal of the anal glands in early 

 life, to the better adaptation of the animal to human society, and such 

 would appear to be an eminently judicious procedure. For, though 

 Skunks may habitually spare their favors when accustomed to the pres- 

 ence of man, yet I should think that their companionship would give 

 rise to a certain sense of insecurity, unfavorable to peace of mind. To 

 depend upon the good will of so irritable and so formidable a beast, whose 

 temper may be ruffled in a moment, is hazardous — like the enjoyment of 

 a cigar in a powder magazine." 



Hydrophobia from Skunk-bite. — It has long been known that a disease 

 like hydrophobia often results from the bite of the Skunk. This subject 

 has been investigated and presented by the Rev. Horace C. Hovey, in 

 the American Journal of Science and Art. for May, 1874, and by John G. 

 Janeway, M D., Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., in the New York Medical Jour- 

 nal, for March 13, 1875. 



