81, HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



hair i< long and rough on the juefc and Sides, but shortei on th 

 throat, breast, and belly. It secretes a fetid substance in an orifice 

 under the tail, which gives it a very offensive smell. It is a soli- 

 tary animal, and resides in woolly places, in burrows which it 

 digs deep in the earth, with long winding entrances, and keeps 

 remarkably clean. It feeds upon young rabbits, frogs, birds and 

 their eggs and young ; but seldom ventures far from its habita- 

 tion, and that only at nightfall. If surprised by dogs in its excur- 

 sions, it turns upon its back, combats with desperate resolution, 

 and seldom dies unrevenged ; nor is he easily conquered, for his 

 skin is so thick and loose, that the teeth of a dog make but little 

 impression. It is very torpid, especially in winter. The female 

 brings forth once a-year, three or four at a time. When taken 

 young, it is easily tamed, will play with the dogs, and follow ita 

 master about the house. Its flesh, when well and cleanly fed, 

 makes excellent hams : those of the South American Badger were 

 wont to be considered so delicious, that the sale of them was pro- 

 hibited but to the viceroy, who sent an annual present to Madrid 

 for the royal table. 



Our old friend, already quoted, gives the following directions' 

 for hunting the badge rf- 



Seek the earth and burrows where he lies, and in a cleai 

 moonshine night go and stop them all, .except one or two, and 

 therein place some sacks, fastened with drawing strings, which 

 may shut him in as soon as he strains the bag. Some only set a 

 hoop in the mouth of the sack, and so put it into the hole ; and as 

 <soon as the badger is in the sack and straineth it, the sack slip- 

 peth ofT the hoop and follows him to the earth, where he lies 



