MELLIVORA. 35 
DescripTion.—The upper half of its body is ashy-grey ; the lower 
half, muzzle, limbs, and tail black; the general appearance is that of 
a black animal with a grey cloak on its back. The only difference 
between the Indian and the Cape Ratel is, that the grey cloak of the 
latter has a conspicuous white border which is wanting in the Indian 
species ; the tail also of the latter is shorter, otherwise they are the same, 
and were for a long time considered the same. 
S1zE.—Head and body, 26 to 32 inches; tail, 5 to 6 inches. 
Jerdon says itis chiefly found in hilly districts, and that he has not 
found it in Lower Bengal nor on the Malabar coast. In Central India 
itis not uncommon. It has got a reputation for digging into graves, and 
is called in some parts “the grave-digger ;’ but I do not believe in its 
carnivorous propensities to this extent ; it lives principally on small fry, 
Melhivora Indica. 
insects, and small animals, honey and vegetable food. Jerden says it 
is destructive to poultry, which is probable, for it will eat small birds. 
Both it and the Cape species will eagerly look out for bees, but it is not 
to be supposed, as some books would make out, that bees and honey 
form the staple diet. Its thick and loose skin, the stiffness cf the hair 
above, and the layer of fat below, effectually preserve it from the effects 
of the stings. The tail glands contain a very strong and pungent 
secretion. 
Some years ago, before I knew exactly what they were, the Ratels in 
the London Zoological Gardens used to interest me greatly. They had 
alow cage, on the ground I think, and their peculiar antics never failed 
to draw a crowd. They used to run round in an idiotic sort of way, 
and always at one point gravely turn head over heels and then proceed 
