THE MARTEN FAMILY 387 
which is black. The fur of weasels, when in its winter con- 
dition, is greatly prized for its fineness and pure white color 
and is known as ermine. To obtain it great numbers are 
trapped in northern Europe, Asia, and British America. 
A single skin, however, on account of its small size, has com- 
paratively little value. The 
animals are far more valu- 
able alive, as they check the 
increase of ground squir- 
rels and mice, which they 
kill in large numbers. In 
the interest of agriculture 
they should be protected. 
True, they have a bad rep- 
utation for attacking poul- 
try, but the harm done in 
this way is very rare. 
The Common Skunk. — 
There are said to be nine 
different species of these 
animals, but in the north- 
em states we have only 
one of them, which is quite 
sufficient. The animal is 
black, with broad white 
stripes down the back, 
usually one on either side of the middle. The arrangement 
of the white marks on the black background is quite variable, 
but the horrible odor by which we know the skunk without 
seeing it is always the same. The offensive fluid is not urine, 
as many people suppose, but is produced and stored in two 
special glands situated near the root of the tail. It is the 
Common SKUNK 
