304 CARNIVORA. 



GENUS MELES. 



The four species of this genus are found from the Atlantic Ocean to 

 Japan, and as far south as Hong Kong in China. 



The Badger, Mcles taxtis (Plate XX), is a quiet inoffensive crea- 

 ture, slow and clumsy in its movements, and awkward in its gait. Its 

 colors are gray, black and white ; the head is white with a broad black 

 line on each side, the body is gray, the chest and abdomen, legs and feet 

 are of a deep blackish-brown. Its average length is two feet six. 



It lives in a long and tortuous burrow, which it digs with great 

 rapidity, using its nose to push aside the earth, which is then flung back- 

 ward by its paws. It has long and sharp teeth, and a peculiar arrange- 

 ment of the jaws by which they lock and remain closed without farther 

 effort ; its bite is therefore very severe. The word " Badger " is old 

 English for a corn-dealer, and the animal has got this title because it is 

 accused by ignorant persons of injuring the crops of wheat and oats ; 

 but far from causing injury, it is benefiting the farmer by its pursuit of 

 mice and the larvae of insects. It is said to be bolder and fiercer in the 

 steppes of Asia, where it ventures to attack calves and sheep. At the 

 end of autumn the Badger retires to his burrow, makes a thick, warm 

 bed, and rolls himself up for his winter sleep. This is not continuous ; 

 he awakens at any spell of fiae weather, and leaves his den to get a 

 drink. In Germany the Dachshund is used to drive him from his hole, 

 in which operation the dog often suffers severely, owing to the fierce 

 bite of the inhabitant. A Badger will receive without injury the most 

 violent blows on the body, but one stroke on the nose kills him. 



GENUS TAXIDEA. 



The tivo species of this genus are both North American. They have 

 short, low bodies, short tails, large claws, and pointed skulls. 



The Mexican Badger, Taxidea Berlandieri, differs slightly from the 

 following species, the most noticeable variation being in the continuation 

 of the white line on the head to the root of the tail. 



The American Badger, Taxidea Labradoria, has one tooth less on 

 each side in the lower jaw than the European Badger. The body is 



