THE TELEDU. 305 



thick, heavy, flat and broad, and is covered in winter with a dense fur 

 three inches long, of a hoary -gray appearance ; in summer the hairs be- 

 come shorter and approach to yellowish-brown ; the coat in summer 

 may be best described as hairy, but in winter, as woolly. 



This Badger may be distinguished from that of Europe by its hairy 

 muzzle, stout fore-limbs, strong claws, and conical head. It attains a 

 length of about two feet and a half. 



GENUS MYDAUS. 



This Asiatic genus is represented by one species, which is nearly as 

 offensive as our native Skunk. 



The Teledu, Mydaus meliceps, is a native of Java, and is confined to 

 the mountainous districts where the earth is light, and hunting for 

 underground insects proportionately easy. Horsfield writes: 



" The Mydaus forms its dwelhng at a slight depth beneath the sur- 

 face, in the black moi'ld, with considerable ingenuity. Having selected 

 a spot defended above by the roots of a large tree, it constructs a cell or 

 chamber of a globular form, having a diameter of several feet, the sides 

 of which it makes perfectly smooth and regular ; this it provides with a 

 subterraneous conduit or avenue, about six feet in length, the external 

 entrance to which it conceals with twigs and dry leaves. During the 

 day it remains concealed, like a badger in its hole ; at night it proceeds 

 in search of its food, which consists of insects and other larvee, and of 

 worms of every kind. It is particularly fond of the common lumbrici, or 

 earthworms, which abound in the fertile mould. These animals, agree- 

 ably to the information of the natives, live in pairs, and the female pro 

 duces two or three young at a birth. 



" The motions of the Mydaus are slow, and it is easily taken by the 

 natives, who by no means fear it. During my abode on the Mountain 

 Prahu, I engaged them to procure me individuals for preparation ; and 

 as they received a desirable reward, they brought them to me daily in 

 greater numbers than I could employ. Whenever the natives surprise 

 them suddenly, they prepare them for food ; the flesh is then scarcely 

 impregnated with the offensive odor, and is described as very delicious. 

 The animals are generally in excellent condition, as their food is found 

 in abundance in the fertile mould ol the country. 

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