CARNIVORA. 87 



the plains watered by the Missouri, and has been traced as far 

 north as the banks of the Peace River. It is known to inhabit 

 Mexico, but its exact southern range is perhaps not accurately 

 determined. The sandy plains on the borders of Lake Winnipeg, 

 are perforated with innumerable badger holes, which greatly 

 annoy horsemen, particularly when covered with snow. Its bur- 

 rows are sometimes six or seven feet deep, and run beneath the 

 ground to the distance of thirty feet. It enlarges and pene 

 trates the burrows of marmots, ground squirrels, etc., and feeds 

 upon these animals, which it cannot obtain when the ground is 

 frozen. During the snowy season, or from November to April, 

 it remains in a half torpid state. The badger is a slow and timid 

 animal, taking to the ground when pursued, and to escape from 

 danger, burrowing in the sandy soil with the rapidity of a mole. 

 * The strength of its fore feet and claws is so great that one which 

 had insinuated only its head and shoulders into a hole, resisted the 

 utmost efforts of two stout young men, who endeavored to drag it 

 out by the hind legs and tail, until one of them fired the contents 

 of his fowling piece into its body.&quot; Early in the spring, badgers 

 come abroad, at first fat, but soon become lean. At that time, 

 they may be easily caught by pouring water into their holes, for 

 the water not penetrating the frozen ground, soon fills the hole, 

 and the animal is forced to come out. In this as in the Ovis 

 montana, the Rocky mountain sheep, the fur, during the winter, 

 changes from a furry texture to a woolly covering. In confine 

 ment, the American Badger appears gentle, and &quot;allows himself 

 to be played with, and fondled by his keeper, but does not appear 

 to be well pleased with strangers.&quot; It produces from three to 

 five young at a litter. 



M. coliaris. The INDIAN BADGER, or BEAR PIG of the Hin 

 doos, is about the size of the common badger. It has the body 

 and limbs of a bear ; the snout, eyes and tail are those of a hog. 



Gulo, (Lat. a glutton.) This genus includes the GLUTTON, 

 or WOLVERINE, and the GRISON. These animals are semiplanti- 

 grade in their walk, but resemble the weasel tribe in their teeth, 

 and their thoroughly carnivorous propensity, as well as in the 

 lengthened form of their bodies. Four species of this genus 

 have been described. 



G. Arcticus. This species is found in the Arctic, or northern 

 regions of both continents ; in size is about equal to the badger, 

 but is more slender in body, and much more active. It seems 

 to be intermediate between the badger and the polecat; in its 

 general figure and aspect resembling the former; in its teeth 

 the latter. The hair is of a chestnut color, verging, in some in- 



