The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-06-12

selves at irregular intervals to relieve the dis
tension of their overcharged glands, whose
function being continuous, necessarily involves
n gradual accumulation of their fluid contents
The secreto1y organs referred to, as described
by Wyman, Parker, Warren and Others con-
sist Of glaudular tissue nGosed in muscular
tunics MustelidB in general are provided
with these perinBal sacs, and they always sub
serve the same purpose, namely that of bring
ing the sexes together In form each structure
is like an ordinary syringe, with compTessi-
bic bulb, whose nozzle is represented by tho
duct opening through papla just within the
margin of the ab-oral orifce. Election is
effected by the contraction of this muscular
coat, and the distance which the discharge may
reach is variously stated at from eight to Ia
feet. To the sense of smell its
ODOR IS ALTOGETHER INDEsCRIBABLE;
all living things, except skunks themselves
avoid it, and in many men it produces violent
nausea. Applied to the eye its acrid properties
excite intense inflammatOn and not unfre
qucntly produce blindness through purnlent
opthalmia. The unaided vision sees in this
detestablo organic product nothing more than
n yelowish liquid thickly set with flocculi, or
movable specks. but under the microscope it
appears like molten gold. Really, the subtle,
penetrating and very persistent odor is given
Off by clear fluid whose color is derived from
the bright yellow globules with which it is
crowded
Mophits preys upon small animals, BIRDS
eggs, and poultry. etc, and is said to be fond Of
milk. Of all ferH, except the house-rat and
mouse, it most affects human society, and it is
no donbt true that as Dr. Coucs supposes, these
animals prefer settled localities to uncutivated
tracts. Under no circumstances Of life, how
ever, can skunks be properly called wary or
astutc. They run into snares Ofevery kind and
traps are purpOsely set for them without those
PRECAUTIONS necessary in order to secure the
fox. " If there are any skunks living in the
vicinity where fox-traps are set" says g. S.
whitman, they are sure to be TAKEN; and
Gibson is Of opinion that it is better for
trapper to catch the whole mephitic population
OF the district before proceeding against his
regular game.
The same writer informs us that, if care
fully approached, captiyes may be noosed and
strauglod before dofing the machine, and it
is said that the deadfall is yet more effective
to this end DR. Coues, however, states it as
fact derived from personal observation that
instant death does not always prevent evacua-
ton of the pcringal glands. In this connection
it may be added that retention Of the secretion
has been assigned as a cause of hydrophobia in
the skunk, although DIR. Warren cut down
upon and extrpatcd the ducts without pro-
duCing this result
That these "onfans du diable," as Sagnard-
Theodat calls them, occasionally have this dis
S''nb ~ ttIt'l1Is anu LHb nov. AlT. 1lOVCy, on
the strength Of this fact, extempOTized theory
to the effect that rabies mephitica was a differ
ent disorder from canine madness, and that it
was Idiopathic. or originated spontaneously
among mu5telidm. DR.. Janeway, however. sub
scqucntly showed this TO be an erroneous con-
cluSion.
WHEREVER HYDRoPHoBIA EXISTS
its poison ia the same Notwithstanding that it
has been proved by experiment that symptoms
closely resembling it may be produced other
wise than by tho bite Of rabid animal Fur
thcr, any creature with n central nervous sys-
tenn can contract rabies, though Canide-dogs
foxes wolves, etc.-seem most prone to il, and
whenever 1t is fully developed it may be COM
municated
When these laundering and unsuspicious lit
tie vcrmiu put their feet into steel traps, they
often have sufficient sense to save themselves
by amputating the imprisoned limb with their
teeth II this plan be not rcs0rted to. aud tho
trapper approaches cautiously, even its desper-
ate position seems to be incapable Of arousing
the skunk's torpid brain 20 any realizing sense
Of It's situation. and il will suffer Itself to be
nooscd and strangled without resort to the
usual effective means of defense. Foxes are
said TO prey upon Mcphitin@ in preference to
almost any other game and they constantly cut
them loose from traps and carry them of
Skunks as was stated. arc gregarious and
moro than one family may inhabit the same
burrow. They are very prolific, eight or ten
being born at a single birth during May, but
after how long period of CESSATION Is un-
known. Besides tho minor quadrnpeds and
birds eggs. frogs, poultry aud small reptiles,
together with insects, are also eaten. Rabbits,
likewise, occasionally BECOME victims, but al
most everything that can run or fly or swim
Is secure from them under ordinary circum-
stances.
Unlike The mink, these animal are amiable
and apparently indisposed to aggression, aud
while, on account Of their extreme offensive
ness, they may be appropriately called "chil-
dren OF the devil" the readiness with which
they become domestiCated, is a matter of COM
mon report.
Bubo vreinianus, the great horned owl. as
sists their vulpiue enemies in destroying
sknnks. Men OH NIL occasions take their lives
for the pelts, or in vengeance for despOiIed hen
roosts, or for no reason except their protective
yet tho qualities which contribute TO
survival appear 10 be possessed to n sufficient
degree to make the species plentiful through
out those provinces where they are distrb-
uted. Indians and sometimes tho fur-hunt-
ers of the North and West, eat the skunk,
which, IL It's secretion be- retained, is odorless,
and Lord Southesk speaks Of the practice rs if
this kind Of food was not altogether foreign to
his own experience.
ITO be c0niinusd)
LOST PHOTOGRAPHS.