MEPHITIS MEPIIITICA. 7 I 



snout is strongly sug-gestive of the pig's ; still, his tout ensemble is 

 decidedly pleasing. There is nothing obscure in his color or mark- 

 in^TS. The handsome black body, the narrow white stripe running up 

 the forehead, the clear white crown from which a broad band of the 

 same color commonly extends down the nape, splitting into two as it 

 passes along the back, contrasting handsomely with the glossy 

 black of the surrounding fur, and the large, bushy tail, terminating 

 in a tuft of creamy white, combine to produce an exterior of unusual 

 attractiveness. His fur is long, thick, and glossy, and makes an ele- 

 gant centre for a robe. During the past few years prime pelts 

 (those lacking the white back stripes) have been largel)' employed in 

 the manufacture of fine furs, and are sold under the nam de oucrre 



of " Alaska Sable." 



Excepting alone the weasels, the Skunk is the least wary, not only 

 of the Mnstclidce, but of all our Carnivores. He is not suspicious, 

 and may be taken in almost any kind of a device contrived for the 

 purpose — box-traps, steel-traps, and dead-falls being most commonly 

 employed in his destruction. To the trapper he often proves a 

 source of great annoyance, by getting into toils set for the fox and 

 other more valuable fur. 



He does not evince that dread of man that is so manifest in the 

 vast majority of our mammals, and when met during any of his cir- 

 cumambulations rarely thinks of running away. On the contrary, 

 his curiosity is aroused, and he is full as apt to come towards one as 

 to make off in the opposite direction. He is slow in movement and 

 deliberate in action, and does not often hurry himself in whatever he 

 does. His ordinary gait is a measured walk, but when pressed for 

 time he breaks into a low, shuffling gallop. It is hard to intimidate 

 a Skunk, but when once really frightened he manages to get over 

 the ground at a very fair pace. 



He is an inquisitive beast, and will often take much trouble to ex- 

 amine anything peculiar about the premises. One evening, while 

 sitting near the open door of my museum, one came and peeped in 



