172 FAMILIAR LIFE IN FIELD AND FOREST. 



This seems rather stupid of the skunk, but it is sim- 

 ply the logical result of his dependence upon a special 

 means of defense ; a trap is a machination of man 

 with which he can not reckon, but with man himself 

 he will reckon when he comes around for the trap. 

 In this respect his method of warfare is not unlike 

 tUat of the primitive Chinese, who threw among the 

 enemy vessels called " stink pots " filled with noxious 

 and suffocating fumes, which cleared the field quite as 

 effectively as shot and shell. 



But now, for the scientific point of view regarding 

 this interesting animal, we must turn to Dr. Merriam.* 

 He had at different times ten live skunks in confine- 

 ment, all quite young and consequently small — from 

 four to ten inches long. From some of these he re- 

 moved the scent pouches, but the greater number 

 were left in a state of nature ; these, he says, never 

 emitted any odor. A particularly clever skunk from 

 whom he had removed the scent pouches proved to be 

 a great pet, sleeping in his pocket while he was driv- 

 ing about on his professional duties, and walking close 

 at his heels when he took an occasional stroll after 

 supper. If he walked too fast, the little creature 

 would stop, scold, and stamp vrith his fore feet ; if he 

 persisted in his rapid walk, he would turn about and 



* Vide Transactions of the Linnjean Society, vol. i. 



