84 



MAMMALIA. 



It is supposed by many that the Skunk empties his scent sacs at 

 other times than during- the excitement of danger ; that it is done to 

 attract the opposite sex, or for practice, or for some other reason 

 than the annoyance of his enemy. This is contrary to my expe- 

 rience, and is also, I believe, at variance with the facts of the case, 

 so far as known. 



^th. Docs one DiscJiargc empty the Sacs ? 



It is frequendy asserted, by those having little or no personal 

 acquaintance with these animals, that the Skunk completely empties 

 his scent reservoirs at the first discharge, and becomes, immediately 

 thereafter, " as harmless as a cat." To such as entertain this opinion 

 I extend a cordial invitation to accompany me to the presence of a 

 Skunk, whom I will provoke to make several distinct and separate 

 discharges, and will then step aside and be pleased to see them pick 

 up the " harmless " animal ! 



3th. When held by the Tail, what ? 



I have been told, and have likewise seen the statement in print, 

 that a Skunk, when held up by the tail, cannot eject his scent. 



Having in early childhood been the unhappy victim to a suffi- 

 ciently satisfactory demonstration to the contrary, I will relate the 

 result of a somewhat humiliating experience, for the benefit of those 

 who are in doubt on this point. It was in the foil of the year, 

 and a light snow enabled me to track a Skunk to his hole in 

 the woods, where I set a box trap, baited with meat. Next morning 

 I found the trap sprung, but, hearing no noise within, opened the lid. 

 Before I had time to see what was there my little dog rushed in, and 

 as I reached out my arm to pull him back, I somehow got hold of 

 the Skunk's tail by mistake. My chin dropped with astonishment 

 as I held the affrighted beast up before me, and the dog seized him 

 by the head. Scarce had I realized the peril of the situation when I 

 was blinded and stifled by the terrible discharge, which hit me full in 



