TWO FAMOUS SWIMMEES. 151 



Elliott Coues describes the animal in its wild state. 



however, as being anything but amiable : " One who 

 has not taken a mink in a steel trap* can scarcely 

 form an idea of the terrible expression the animal's 

 face assumes as the captor approaches. It has always 

 struck me as the most nearly diabolical of anything 

 in animal physiognomy. A sullen stare from the 

 crouched, motionless form gives way to a new look 

 of surprise and fear, accompanied with the most vio- 

 lent contortions of the body, with renewed champ- 

 ing of the iron till breathless, with heaving flanks 

 and open mouth dribbling saliva, the animal settles 

 again, and watches with a look of concentrated 

 hatred mingled with impotent rage and frightful 

 despair. The countenance of the mink — its broad, 

 low head, short ears, small eyes, piggish snout, and for- 

 midable teeth — is always expressive of the lower and 

 more brutal passions, all of which are intensified at 

 such times. As may well be supposed, the creature 

 must not be incautiously dealt with when in such a 

 frame of mind." 



Unfortunately, too, the mink has a pair of anal 

 glands which secrete a fluid of disgustingly fetid and 

 offensive odor, which is pretty sure to be emitted 

 when the animal is trapped. Dr. Merriam says of it : 



* When caught in a trap by the leg the mink is very apt to 

 gnaw the member in a manner most painful to witness. 



