The Smaller Carnivora 



129 



THE SKUNKS. 



Of all the strange equipments 

 given by nature to animals for their 

 protection that possessed by the \-avious 

 species of Skukk is the most effec- 

 tive. These animals are able to emit 

 a fluid so vile in odour that it seems 

 equally hateful to all animals. Dogs, 

 pumas, men, alike slum them, and the 

 animals seem to know this and to pre- 

 sume on their immunity. An ordinary 

 skunk is alxnit the size of a cat, 

 black, with bright white stripes down 

 the sides and back. The fur is tldck 

 and handsome, and, if the aniuial be 

 killed before it discharges its fluid, 

 is not too strongly odorous to make 

 trimmings for jackets. Mr. Hutlson, 

 in his '• Naturalist in La Plata," s 



An Anieiican animal, noted chiefly for tlie scent-^-Iimd it jinssesse^, fro 

 emits ;l most obnoxious-sniellin;,^ Iluid, 



In talking to strangers from abroad, I have 



never thought it necessary to speak of the dangers of sunstroke, jaguars, or the assassin's 

 knife. But I have never omitted to warn them of the skunk, minutely descriliing its habits 

 and pjersonal appearance. I knew an Englishman who, on taking a first gallop across the 

 Pampas, saw one, and, (juickly dismounting, hurled himself bodily on to it to effect its 



capture. 1 



oor man 



He did not know that the animal is never unwilling to be caught. 



Men have been blinded by them for e\'er by a discharge of the fiery litpiid in their faces. 

 The smell pervades the whole system of any one subjected to it, like a pestilent ether, 

 nauseating the victim till sea-sickness seems pdeasant in comparison." Dogs can be taught to 

 kill skunks ; but they show the greatest disgust and horror when the fluid of the animal 



falls upon them, and 

 sometimes roll in mud 

 or dust in the en- 

 dea\'our to get rid 

 of it. 



THE BADGERS. 



The Badgers in- 

 clude several genera. 



The S.\XD-BADGEHS of 



the East have a naked 

 snout, small ears, and 

 rough fur, with softer 

 fur underneath. The 

 Indian ]5adgeu is 

 larger thau that of 

 Europe, while that of 

 Java, Sumatra, and 

 ISorneo is smaller, and 

 has a very short tail. 

 The Ferret- 

 badgers frour the 

 East have elongated 



17 



Photo Vll C. Sdd] 



A BADGEK IX THE WATER. 

 Badgers are incre;ising in many parts of England. They are nocturnal animals. 



