20 
TEXAN SKUNK. 
well as in the woods, and the cultivated districts of Texas and Mexico. 
Its food consists in part of grubs, beetles, and other insects, and occa- 
sionally a small quadruped or bird, the eggs of birds, and in fact every- 
thing which this carnivorous but timid animal can appropriate to its 
sustenance. 
The retreats of this Skunk are hollows in the roots of trees or fallen 
trunks, cavities under rocks, &c. ; and it is, like the northern species, easily 
caught when seen, (if any one has the resolution to venture on the experi- 
ment,) as it will not endeavour to escape unless it be very near its hiding 
place, in which case it will avoid its pursuer by retreating into its burrow, 
and there remaining for some time motionless, if not annoyed by a dog, or 
by digging after it. 
The stomach of the specimen from which our drawing was made, con- 
tained a number of worms, in some degree resembling the tape worm at 
times found in the human subject. Notwithstanding this circiunstance, 
the individual appeared to be healthy and was fat. The rainy season 
having set in (or at least the weather being invariably stormy for some 
time) after it was killed, it became necessary to dry its skin in a chimney. 
When first taken, the white streak along the back was as pure and free 
from any stain or tinge of darkness or soiled colour as new fallen snow. 
The two glands containing the fetid matter, discharged from time to time 
by the animal for its defence, .somewhat resembled in appearance a 
soft egg. 
This species apparently takes the place of the common American skunk, 
{Mephitis chinga^ in the vicinity of the ranchos and plantations of the 
Mexicans, and is quite as destructive to poultry, eggs, &c., as its northern 
relative. We have not ascertained anything about its season of breeding, 
or the time the female goes with young ; we have no doubt, however, that 
in these characteristics it resembles the other and closely allied species. 
The long and beautiful tail of this Skunk make.s it conspicuous among 
the thickets or in the musquit bushes of Texas, and it most frequently 
keeps this part elevated so that in high grass or weeds it is first seen by 
the hunters who may be looking for the animal in such places. 
GEOGEAPHICAI. lUSTRIBUTION. 
The Mephitis Mesoleuca is not met with in any portion of the United 
States eastward and northward of Texas. It is found in the latter State 
and in most parts of Mexico. We have, however, not seen any skunk from 
South America which corresponds with it. 
