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

ursidm groups. whose essential types have been
previously pointed out In tho division under
consideration, progression ~ plantigrade, aud
like all creatures constructed on the nat- footed
plan, hcphitinn possess but littlo speed or agil.
ity. Their dsinioCted or indebted polts which
arc now Of some commercial Importance, consist
OI an under fur aud those longer hairs which are
common 10 greater OF less degree TO tho whole
group, but on the tail tho former is wanting
aud the long, coarse harsh overcoat alone ex-
lists. II 10 almost impossible 10 describe in n
few words this creatures very diverse colora-
ton otherwise than by saying that The pelage
exhibits "A mixture Of black and white in ex-
trcmely variable proportions; or, perhaps. more
exactly. that the ground. color of tho coat is
black while its white markings are always dis
similar, even IN animals OF the same litter
Ia this country the genus Mephitis includes
the sub-Rcnera Spllogulo aud Couepatus; that
Is, on this continent is found the common
American skunk OF the United States aud
British Provinces, that Of Mexico, aud other
forms common TO North, Central aud South
America The entire sub family is confined 10
this hemisphere. Putorius fHtidus the Euro
pcan ferret, polecat GEch or fOul-mart being a
different creature. aud one that should not be-
confOunded with our skunks, whose nearest
relations are tho African Zorillng Here
Mephitnm constitute but "A small group and
probably there are not more than three true
species 10 the northward OF Mexico. In appear
ance there is but little resemblance between
the skunk and the wensel-like animals, while,
on the other hand, certain
REPRESENTATIVES, or THIS DIVISION
exhibit striking likenesses to the badgers. 10
whom, indeed, they are IN )re nearly akin than
10 any other members Of their family. Gener-
ally there Is decided diminution in size To-
wards the south, until upon the line whore tho
Mexican and North American sub. genera meet
or perhaps overlap the relatively diminutive
tropical species reach somewhat the same di-
mensions (about l3 or II inches long, as their
congenors Of the United States Locally their
numbers vary considerably, skuuks being
plentiful in one place and sparsely populating
another, independently, so far as can be deter
mined, OF the surface features of the respective
areas They are also more grcgarious than
other members of their family and this trait IL
supposed 10 be an acquired one and TO have
developed itself correlativey with tho eyolu-
ton OF their scent glands whose od0r is mutu-
ally attractive. Inherited aud organized ex-
percnce of the efficacy of its fetid secretion as
n means OF defense, has, moreover changed tho
original character. Most mustelidn are titnid
aud wary; indeed, Bnch traits mark the wild
beast everywhere. MGphtis on the contrary
shows itself to be needless Of danger as we'll as
audacious, and Indifferent to man. 5 proximity or
presence. Like carnivores in general skunks
are Tor tho most part nocturnal but this char
acterstic antedated the assumption of that
special feature of oileusiveness by which thew
are at present distinguished The latter-that
Is. their power of fetid ejectiOn-has likewise
modified even this primary and universal pre-.
disposition to darkness attaching TO predatory
Creatures, for in all places where they oxst it Is
| not uncommon to find them abroad during
daylight.
Along the more northerly ATTITUDES of their
range these animals hibernate though incom-
petey. IL is supposed that they rouse them.