Putorius Americanus Striatus: The Pol-Cat.
This in Shape is not unlike our common Polcat, except that the
Nose of this is somewhat longer: The Colour of all I have seen is
black and white, tho' not always alike marked; this had a Lift of
white, extending from the hind-part of the Head, along the Ridge
of the Back, to the Rump, with four others, two an each Side, running
parallel with it. When one of them is attacked by a Dog, to appear
formidable, it so changes its usual Form, by bristling up its Hairs,
and contracting its Length into a round Form, that it makes a very
odd and terrible Appearance. This menacing, Behaviour, however insuffcient
to deter its Enemy, is seconded by a Repulse far more prevailing,
for from some secret Duct, it emits such fetid Effluviums, that
the Atmosphere for a large Space round shall be so infected with
them, that Men and other Animals are impatient till they are quit
of it. This Stench is insupportable to some Dogs, and necessitates
them to let their Game escape; others by thrusting their Noses into
the Earth renew their Attacks till they have killed it, but rarely
care to have more to do with such noisome Game, which for four or
five Hours distracts them. The Indians notwithstanding esteem
their Flesh a Dainty, of which I have eat, and found it well tasted.
I have known them brought up young, made Domestick, and prove tame
and very active, without exercising that Faculty, which Fear and
Self-Preservation perhaps only prompts them to. They hide themselves
in hollow Trees and Rocks, and are found in most of the Northern
Continent of America. Their Food is Insects and wild Fruit.
This Plant trails on the Ground. The Top of each Stalk terminates
in a single hollow Leaf, which clasps almost close, and from its
Footstalk arises short round Pedicles, supporting the Flowers, which
consist of two blue Petals, standing erect on one Side, and one
very small white Petal lying flat facing them, enclosed by a Calyx
of three leaves; they contain several yellow, Stamina, and
are succeeded by a Seed Vessel, containing three Seeds.