THE AMERICAN SKUNK. 
THIS little animal is distinctively 
American, the one figured being 
found only in North America. 
It has a beautiful jet-black fur, varied 
with a larger or smaller amount of 
white forming a stripe on each side 
of its body and head, and more or less 
of its tail. In some cases the white 
is reduced to a small " star" at the top 
of the head, and without doubt some 
specimens are entirely black, while 
occasionally a white specimen may be 
seen. 
The fur of the Black Skunk is con- 
sidered the best, and brings the highest 
price which decreases as the amount of 
white increases, the white ones being 
almost valueless. A slight unpleasant 
odor clings about the manufactured fur, 
which detracts much from its commer- 
cial value, although some dealers claim 
that this is never noticed when it is sold 
as "Alaska sable." 
Another common name for the Skunk 
is Polecat. Though found in the woods, 
they prefer to inhabit grassy or bushy 
plains. During the day they lie sleeping 
in hollow trees or stumps, in clefts of 
rocks, or in caverns, which they dig for 
themselves; at night they rouse them- 
selves and eagerly seek for prey. 
Worms, insects, birds, and small ani- 
mals, roots and berries constitute their 
food. 
The range of the Skunk is quite ex- 
tensive, the animal being most plenti- 
ful near Hudson Bay, whence it is dis- 
tributed southward. 
It is slow in its movements, can 
neither jump nor climb, but only walk 
or hop. Knowing how formidable is 
its weapon of protection, it is neither 
shy nor cowardly. 
The Skunk is a much respected ani- 
mal, both man and beast preferring to 
go around him rather than over him, 
and many amusing anecdotes are related 
by hunters and naturalists, which lead 
us to believe that he does not always 
come out second best in an encounter. 
When in search of food he is so bold 
that he can be approached without dif- 
ficulty, and he wears a look of inno- 
cence that effectually deceives the 
uninitiated, and brings about very un- 
expected results. 
Hensel says that when it is pursued 
by dogs it lays its tail along its back like 
a sitting Squirrel, turns its hinder quar- 
ters towards the dogs and performs 
queer, angry, hopping antics, such as 
one sometimes sees in the cages of 
Bears. The attacked animal never 
wastes its secretion by unnecessary 
haste, but continues to threaten as long 
as the dogs are a few yards distant 
from it. 
" Skunk Farming " cannot be said to 
be a growing industry, but there are a 
number of such " farms" in the north- 
ern and eastern states which are said 
to pay fairly well. A small plat of 
land is enclosed by a high board fence; 
stakes are driven into the ground close 
together under the fence so that the 
animals cannot burrow out. Small 
shelters are built in, some hay thrown 
in for nests, and the farm is ready for 
the skunks. 
Skunks get very tame in captivity 
and tolerably well accustomed to 
their keeper, though great care is re- 
quired not to irritate them. Hay is 
their favorite bed, on which they curl 
up like a ball. After eating, they wipe 
their snouts with their forepaws, being 
very cleanly, and they always keep 
their fur dainty and dressed. The fur 
is not very fine or soft, but it is valu- 
able and in considerable demand. 
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