334 



MAMMALIA. 



throat with its sharp teeth. In vain does the animal make most 

 desperate efForts to get rid of its ferocious assailant; nothing 

 but the chance intervention of Man could then save it.^ The 

 Glutton fears not to attack some of the large Ruminants, 

 such as the Reindeer and Elk, and, it is said, seldom unsuc- 

 cessfulljr. 



BiiiFon was in possession of a living specimen of this animal, 

 which captivity had much subdued. It ate very largely, and with 

 such greediness that it was several times nearly choking. It could 

 devour more than four pounds of meat at a single meal. 



The Grison, a native of South America, also deserves attention. 



v4 Mw 



Fig. 132. — Wolverine, or Glutton (Ursus gulo, Pallas and GmelinJ. 



Its proclivities are similar to those of the Glutton. This is the 

 Gitlo mttatiis of Desmarest. 



The Shm];s {Mephitis, Cuv.) — In their size and general shape 

 the Skunks approach the larger species of Marten ; but they 

 differ much from them in their dental system, being organised 

 for an omnivorous system of food. Their coat is very thick, 

 silkj^j and varied with black and white in colour ; the tad. is 

 bushy, and capable of being raised over the back like a plume. 

 These animals inhabit the two Americas, from Hudson's Bay to 

 Cape Horn, and are remarkable for the horrible stench which 

 they diffuse around them when provoked. This liquid, the 

 effliivium of which no living creature can endure, is their weapon 

 of defence, and so powerful is it that clothing once touched by 

 it is rendered unwearable. 



