302 



ANIMAL DEFENCES 



exhales a most disgusting and penetrating odour. In colour it 

 is black and white, so distributed as to make it extremely con- 

 spicuous, for the upper side is white instead of the lower, as in 



Fig. 484. — American Slcunk [Mephitis siijfocmis) 



cases where inconspicuousness is the end to be attained (see p. 

 282). The possession of a large bushy white tail, which is 

 carried erect, makes the animal still more easy to see, and it is 

 in the habit of progressing at an easy pace, which it does not 

 quicken even when attack is threatened. Should these dano-er- 

 signals be ignored by an inexperienced enemy, the Skunk defends 



