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and eat them in spite of their odor, as do also some of the preying birds. 
Insects, birds’ eggs, and young, small mice, and frogs are their ordinary 
food ; occasionally they secure a rabbit in his burrow. 
Uses —The Skunk yields a handsome fur, which is put on the market 
under the name of “ Alaska Sable.” The Hudson’s Bay Company handle 
a thousand or more yearly. The pelt is one of the staples of American 
furriers, thousands being yearly exported to Kurope. The black furs are 
the most valuable, often selling for a dollar each. 
No special skill is required for their capture; they are easier trapped 
than disposed of. They are taken readily in fox-traps carelessly set. 
It is customary to clear them off the range before attempting to take the 
Fox. The Fox is fond of the Skunk’s flesh, and it is often used to bait 
the fox-traps. The Skunk, once trapped, is easily choked by a running 
wire noose attached to a long pole in the hands of the trapper, who thus 
escapes defilement. 
Mr. Maynard states that, in Florida, the Little Striped Skunk is do- 
mesticated and used as Cats, the scent-glands being removed at an early 
age. Dr. J. W. Warren has put the Common Skunk under the influence 
of an anesthetic, and severed the ducts of the anal glands by cutting 
down on the outside of the intestine, suffering the glands to remain in 
their normal position. The adhesive inflammation resulting deprives 
the animal effectually of its meens of annoyance. 
Regarding the domestication of the Skunk, Dr. Coues discourses, face- 
tiously, as follows: “The different species of Skunks, in fact, seem to 
be susceptible of ready semi-domestication, in which state they are, like 
the Fitch or Ferret, useful in destroying vermin, if they do not also make 
agreeable pets. Writers speak of the removal of the anal glands in early 
life, to the better adaptation of the animal to human society, and such 
would appear to be an eminently judicious procedure. For, though 
Skunks may habitually spare their favors when accustomed to the pres- 
ence of man, yet I should think that their companionship would give 
rise to a certain sense of insecurity, unfavorable to peace of mind. To 
depend upon the good will of so irritable and so formidable a beast, whose 
temper may be ruffled in a moment, is hazardous—like the enjoyment of 
a cigar in a powder magazine.” 
Hydrophobia from Skunk-bite—It has long been known that a disease 
like hydrophobia often results from the bite of the Skunk. This subject 
has been investigated and presented by the Rey. Horace C. Hovey, in 
the American Journal of Science and Art, for May, 1874, and by John G. 
Janeway, M D., Assistant Surgeon Y.S. A., in the New York Medical Jour- 
nal, for March 13, 1875. 
