But enough of this very objectionable creature.
In Texas some of the boys used to carry in their pockets a piece of "rattlesnake root," which when scraped and swallowed after a bite was held to be an antidote, though otherwise a virulent poison.
In this placid land of ours, so free of pests, mosquitoes, fleas and leeches, we are also free of the true skunk; but we do have, as perhaps you are aware, a small creature armed and protected in much the same way.

This is the bombardier-beetle, common in certain other countries, but also found in England, which if chased will discharge from its stern a puff of bluish-white smoke, accompanied by a slight detonation.

It can fire many shots from its stern chasers.

It is said that a highly volatile liquid is secreted by glands, which when it meets the air passes into vapour so suddenly as to produce the explosion.
The Mexicans of the United States deserve more than a passing notice.
Many of them have Indian blood and are called Greasers, but the majority are of fairly pure Spanish descent.

Contact with the Americans has made them vicious and treacherous.