170 MOSTLY MAMMALS 
other and more powerful animals. And any one who is in 
doubt as to the cause of this proud indifference should 
read Mr. W. H. Hudson’s account of the terrible and 
lasting effects of their foetid excretion, as detailed in “The 
Naturalist in La Plata.” Less familiar is the so-called 
Cape polecat (Jctonyx), an animal of about the same size 
as an ordinary polecat, but having its fur marked with 
broad longitudinal bands of blackish brown alternating 
with white. As this creature is stated to have an odour 
as disgusting as that of a skunk, there can be little 
hesitation in classing it among animals possessing “ warning 
odours.” 
Another member of the same family (Poecilogale albinucha) 
from South Africa is likewise conspicuously banded with 
blackish brown and white, and thus closely resembles the 
Cape polecat, for which it might readily be mistaken. 
Unfortunately, its habits seem very imperfectly known, and 
it is difficult to ascertain whether it has an odour as 
powerful as that of its larger cousin. It is very probable 
however, it has not, and that its coloration is a true 
mimicry of that of the latter. If this be so, we shall 
have the pied coloration of the animals above mentioned 
attributable to three distinct causes. In the case of the 
guereza it affords protection, from its resemblance to in- 
animate surroundings; in the skunk and Cape polecat it 
serves to warn other animals from attacking a noisome 
beast, which is thereby protected; while the South African 
weasel enjoys immunity from attack from being mistaken 
for the similarly coloured polecat. 
