- Joined
- Apr 5, 2019
- Messages
- 766
- Reaction score
- 837
"The strong scent of the skunk comes from a volatile oil contained in two sacs near the tail, and which will burn with a green light, blazing as readily as kerosene oil. The Indians' way to dress a skunk, after taking out his scent bags, is to throw him into the fire to singe the hair off, by which the unpleasant odor is destroyed. After singeing the hair, they wash and scrape him and he then looks as nice as a little young pig. Then dress him and cut his head off, spread him apart with sticks, and set him before a fire to roast, adding salt and pepper. When he is thoroughly cooked in that manner, it is said there is no finer meat anywhere, with no suspicion of scent about it. If any scent got on the clothing, it very soon passed off; the wind and dry air of the plains seemed to take it away so that it would not be noticed. In one consignment I sent seven hundred of their skins to market, afterwards to grace the shoulders of someone's darling in Europe or America."
James R. Mead, Hunting and Trading on the Great Plains, 1859-1875.
Thanks to Notchy Bob for suggesting this book!
James R. Mead, Hunting and Trading on the Great Plains, 1859-1875.
Thanks to Notchy Bob for suggesting this book!