32 
can eject at will to a distance of several feet, and which pos¬ 
sesses an odor at once the most powerful and intolerable of 
any known animal secretion. The fur of the skunk is very 
long and fine, and is much worn under the euphonious desig¬ 
nation of “ Alaska Sable.” 
The American Badger ( Taxidea americana) belongs to the 
same group as the skunk; it lives in burrows, which it exca¬ 
vates with its powerful claws, and is found through the western 
United States up to about latitude fifty-eight degrees in Brit¬ 
ish America, though it is seldom seen east of the Missouri 
river; southward it is replaced by a well-marked variety ( ber - 
landieri). The Badger of Europe (. Meles taxus ) is a nearly 
allied form. 
Among the true squirrels ( Sciuridce) of North America, 
those generally to be found in the collection are the South¬ 
ern Fox Squirrel ( Sciurus niger ) of the Gulf States; the 
Northern Fox Squirrel ( Sciurus niger cinereus ), from New 
Jersey to Virginia; the Gray Squirrel ( Sciurus caro linen sis')] 
United States east of the Missouri river, and the Red Squirrel 
(Sciurus hudsonius ), which ranges from British America to 
the Gulf States. 
The Gray Squirrel is subject to much variation, the Black 
as well as the White Squirrel belonging to this species. 
Several specimens of the pretty little European Red Squirrel 
(Sciurus vulgaris ) are kept in a small cage in the western wing 
of the Carnivora House. 
No. 23.—THE PHOTOGRAPH STAND 
Will be passed on the right of the walk on the way out, close 
by the Monkey House. Photographs of many of the animals 
in the collection can be purchased here at very moderate 
prices. 
No. 24.—THE SUN-DIAL 
Points out the time of day at Philadelphia and at numerous 
other points on the earth’s surface. 
