THE BADGER 



(Meles indica) might be added perhaps, 

 though it has a pig's snout, long legs, and 

 long tail. Its native name is bhalloo-soor, 

 i. e. the bear pig. 



Nos. 3 and 4, the chocaratouch and 

 Mexican, differ so distinctly from the others 

 in dentition, though in appearance similar to 

 the European species, that a new genus, 

 Taxidea, has been established for their 

 reception. 1 



Popular error, and old writers, describe 

 the badger as 'having his legs shorter on one 

 side than the other, and the latter, with 

 philosophical ingenuity, have discovered 

 therein a wonderful provision of nature ; 

 for, says Nicholas Cox, "He hath very 

 sharp Teeth, and therefore is accounted a 

 deep-biting beast ; his back is broad, and his 

 legs are longer on the right side than the 

 left, and therefore he runneth best when he 

 gets on the side of an Hill or a Cart roadway." 

 The same author also states " Her manner 



1 In Lower California there is a variety of badger 

 which differs from described forms by its dark colouration 

 and broad nuchal stripe. 



2 3 



