ANIBIALS, 



tended down their sides, and sometimes forms wav- 

 ing streaks ; others are said to be spotted ^ some of 

 them, particularly in the southern states, are entirely 

 black, and considerably smaller. 



The Indians are said to have so far tamed some 

 of these animals before their acquaintance with the 

 Europeans, as to have used them in hunting. They 

 next made use of European dogs, and af tier wards of 

 mongrels, the offspring of the wolf and dog, as being 

 more docile than the former, and more eager in the 

 chase than the latter. The appearance of many of 

 the dogs, in the newly settled parts of the country, 

 indicate their relation to the wolf. Found in all the 

 states. 



The Skunk C viverra fiutorius J, is one of the 

 most extraordinary animals of which we have any 

 account. It seems to be of the same species with 

 the pole-cat, but is of a less size, and differs from it 

 in several respects. Its hair is long and shining, of 

 a clouded or dirty white, intermxixed with spots of 

 black. Its tail is long and bushy, like that of the 

 fox. It lives chiefly in the woods and hedges, but 

 often burrows under barns and out.houses. 



When undisturbed, this animal is without any ill 

 scent or disagreeable effluvium. Their natural eva- 

 cuations are not more nauseous than those of other 

 animals. Whole nests of them will lie under the 

 Roor of a barn, and so long as they are undisturbed, 

 no disagreeable odour will be perceived during the 

 whole Winter. Their fiesli, when it is properly 

 dressed, is sweet and nourishing. ^When pursued 

 or attacked, the skunk discovers its extraordinary 

 powers, bv a singular and most effectual method of 



F f 



