THE STORY OF THE SKUNK. 497 
with the same. In some cases the white stripes do not extend beyond the 
neck, so that the back is entirely black. 
The long-tailed skunk from Mexico differs by its longer and more bushy 
tail, of which the whole length is not less than that of the head and body. 
More distinct is the lesser skunk, ranging from the southern United 
States to Yucatan and Guatemala. This species never exceeds a foot in 
length from the snout to the root of the tail, the whole tail being distinctly 
THE WHITE-BACK SKUNK. 
shorter than the head and body. It has four white stripes on the body, 
together with some spots, and the tail is tipped with white. 
In South America the group is represented by a very distinct species 
known as the white-backed skunk. This skunk differs from all the others 
by its heavier build and more pig-like head and snout. The ears are 
extremely small, and the tail is shorter and less bushy than in the other 
skunks. In size this species is the largest of the group, some specimens 
attaining a length of about twenty-four inches, exclusive of the tail, although 
the more usual dimension is about eighteen inches. The color is even more 
