PUTORIUS VISON. 
67 
terrible expression the animal’s face assumes as the captor ap- 
proaches. It has always struck me as the most nearly diabolical of 
anything in animal physiognomy. A sullen stare from the crouched, 
motionless form gives way to a new look ot surprise and fear, ac- 
companied with the most violent contortions of the body, with re- 
newed champing of the iron, till breathless, with heaving flanks, and 
open mouth dribbling saliva, the animal settles again, and watches 
with a look of concentrated hatred, mingled with impotent rage and 
frightful despair. . . . As may well be supposed, the creature must 
not be incautiously dealt with when in such a frame of mind.’’ * 
When taken sufficiently young he is easily domesticated, and makes 
one of the very best of “ ratters.” He follows these common pests 
into their holes, and destroys large numbers of them. The remainder 
are so terrified that they leave the premises in great haste and are not 
apt soon to return. 
The Mink carries a pair of anal glands that secrete a fluid of an ex- 
tremely fetid and disgusting odor. It cannot be ejected to a distance, 
like that of the skunk, but is poured out under sexual excitement, and 
when the animal is enraged. It is commonly emitted when the beast 
is trapped, and sometimes becomes insufferably sickening while re- 
moving the skin. It is the most execrable smell with which my nos- 
trils have as yet been offended, and is more powerful and offensive in 
some individuals than in others — the difference probably depending 
upon season and age. In one specimen the fetor was so intolerably 
rank and loathsome that I was unable to skin it at one sitting; and I 
am free to confess that it is one of the few substances, of animal, 
vegetable, or mineral origin, that has, on land or sea, rendered me 
aware of the existence of the abominable sensation called nausea. 
The fur of the Mink being valuable, the species has been exten- 
sively trapped and is consequently not nearly so abundant here as 
formerly. It is prime early in November. 
* Fur-Bearing Animals, 1877, p. 176. 
