670 THE CARNIVORES 



relatively-longer bodies, shorter limbs, and longer tails than the latter. They are 

 all of comparatively-small size, and are distinguished from the other members of 

 the badger-like group, by having the under surface of the body lighter colored than 

 the back. One species is further remarkable for the brilliant orange tint of the 

 under parts and portions of the head. 



All these animals have the same number of teeth as the martens; the upper 

 molar and flesh-tooth being remarkable for their broad and squared crowns. The 

 head is elongated, and terminates in a prolonged and naked muzzle, with obliquely- 

 truncated nostrils; and the ears are small but distinct. The claws are very narrow, 

 and about twice as long in the fore as in the hind-feet; the soles of the feet being 

 naked. The tail, which is more or less bushy, may be either rather more or rather 

 less than half the length of the head and body. 



Of the four species, the brown ferret-badger (Helictis orientalis], in which the 

 length of the head and body is sixteen inches, and that of the tail, with the hair, 

 nine inches, inhabits the Nipal Himalayas and Java, and is characterized by its 

 brown or yellowish-brown color, and its relatively-long tail. The Burmese ferret- 

 badger (H. per sonata], which differs in the grayish tint of the upper parts, inhabits 

 Ix>wer Burma and Manipur, and probably some neighboring districts. The two 

 remaining species, viz. , H. moschata and H. sabaurantiaca, are from China. The 

 latter is characterized by its relatively-short tail, and the brilliant orange color of 

 the snout and the sides and the under parts of the head and throat; the ears, a stripe 

 down the neck, and the under parts and feet being yellow. The upper part of the 

 head and face is chocolate brown, forming a most marked contrast with the orange; 

 while the back and tail are olive color. 



The ferret-badgers are purely nocturnal, and differ from the other 

 members of the present group in being able to climb with facility. 

 The Indian species are almost omnivorous in their food, eating both small Mammals 

 and birds as well as fruits and insects. All the species live in forests as a rule. 



THE RATELS 

 Genus Mellivora 



The ratels or, as they are frequently called, honey badgers, are distinguished 

 from all the members of the family hitherto noticed by their more badger-like shape, 

 very short tails, and the absence of any external ears. They are aptly compared in 

 gait and appearance by Mr. Blanford to small bears. There are but. two living spe- 

 cies, of which one is confined to India, and the other to Africa. 



In addition to their short tails and the absence of external ears, the ratels are 

 characterized by their stoutly-built bodies, and short powerful limbs, of which the 

 front pair are provided with enormous claws. They walk with the greater part of 

 the naked soles of the feet applied to the ground. As regards coloration, they show 

 in a most marked degree the peculiarity to which we have already referred as char- 

 acterizing many members of the family; that is to say, the under parts are dark, and 

 the upper parts lighter. In the present instance, the whole _of the muzzle, together 



