VIII THE SKUNK, CALMLY CONSIDERED 239 
before success with the foxes begins. A slight 
compensation is made by the fact that the taint 
left about the setting-place attracts more foxes; 
and trappers know that skunk-flesh is their best 
bait. Sometimes when a skunk has been caught 
by the foot he will free himself by self-amputation. 
In such cases “they seldom get in a second time, 
as in their weak and mutilated condition they fall 
an easy prey to the fox, who is fond of their flesh: 
so much so that he will sometimes gnaw off the 
leg by which the skunk is held in the trap, .and 
carry off his booty to be eaten at leisure.” 
The wolf, on the other hand, from indifference 
to caution, blind ferocity, and pure courage, seems 
to take no such care. He knows he can easily 
run down this slow-footed animal, and simply rushes 
at him with open jaws. If, as usually happens, 
no doubt, he gets a blast which burns his eyes and 
mouth, and stifles him for the moment, he may 
halt, but, maddened with pain and rage, will rush 
again at the little animal the instant he recovers 
vision and breath, and make mince-meat of it in 
half a minute. 
That this picture of the behavior. of the wolf is 
substantially accurate is shown not only by what 
we actually know of both the gray wolf and coyote, 
but by the behavior of dogs, any of which that 
have any /unz in them, will dash at a skunk with 
the utmost fury, whenever they get a chance, and 
without an instant’s hesitation. If the little beast 
