THE PEEFUMES OE ODOUES OF ANIMALS. 
The human nose that travels about in the world, and 
notes the various kinds of smells, is probably aware that 
musk is found to predominate among animals. We find 
musk cats, musk rats, musk deer, musk ducks, musk bugs, 
musk beetles ; in fact, this powerful scent is met with 
everywhere, even among reptiles and fishes. Many of 
these creatures are provided with glands and pouches or 
bags so arranged to receive and store up for use a large 
quantity of this extraordinary product, the smell of which 
must be highly agreeable to many creatures. But the 
question arises. What is the use of this overpowering 
smell ? Some animals who possess the glands and other 
organs similarly situated, secrete a scent so frightfully dis- 
gusting that they cannot be approached by man or other 
animal without suffering the most distressing nausea ; 
insufferable is the stench of the common skunk of North 
America {Mepliites Americana ) ; many other animals have 
the power of exuding from their bodies the most offensive 
odours, by which means they escape their enemies. 
Among reptiles many serpents are able, when alarmed or 
injured, to so taint the air that those who inhale it are 
attacked with sickness or giddiness from its overpowering 
and unpleasant action. 
It may therefore be fairly assumed that these very 
remarkable and strong odours are not possessed altogether 
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