THE PERFUMES OR ODOURS OF ANIMALS. 



The human nose that travels about in the "world, and 

 notes the various kinds of smells, is probably aware that 

 musk is found to predominate among animals. We find 

 musk cats, musk rats, musk deer, musk ducks, musk bugs, 

 musk beetles; in fact, this powerful scent is met with 

 everywhere, even among reptiles and fishes. Many of 

 these creatures are provided with glands and pouches or 

 bags so arranged to receive and store up for use a large 

 quantity of this extraordinary product, the smell of which 

 must be highly agreeable to many creatures. But the 

 question arises, What is the use of this overpowering 

 smell ? Some animals who possess the glands and other 

 organs similarly situated, secrete a scent so frightfully dis- 

 gusting that they cannot be approached by man or other 

 animal without suffering the most distressing nausea; 

 insufferable is the stench of the common skunk of North 

 America {Mephites Americana) ; many other animals have 

 the power of exuding from their bodies the most offensive 

 odours, by which means they escape their enemies. 

 Among reptiles many serpents are able, when alarmed or 

 injured, to so taint the air that those who inhale it are 

 attacked with sickness or giddiness from its overpowering 

 and unpleasant action. 



It may therefore be fairly assumed that these very 

 remarkable and strong odours are not possessed altogether 



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