ODDITIES 247 



treated and made a pet of he never dreams of 

 exhibiting his peculiar accomplishment of per- 

 fuming a house. It is his means of defence, 

 and is used solely for that purpose. Boys 

 who wish to keep this pet must take notice 

 that worrying and teasing will probably be 

 promptly resented in a way they will not en- 

 joy. Dr. Merriam's particular pet rode about 

 the country in his pocket, accompanied him 

 on foot when he walked, and delighted very 

 specially in hunting grasshoppers. Another 

 that I have heard of was kept in a family for 

 two years, and was not only a lively playmate 

 for the children, but an excellent mouser. 

 Now here is a pet that any country boy can 

 capture, and he will be rare as well as pleas- 

 ing. 



There are several other little animals native 

 to our country that have been kept as pets. 

 One such is the badger. Though not very 

 beautiful, with his long body and short bandy- 

 legs, he is good-tempered and lively, acting 

 much like a young puppy, especially in his 

 fondness for chewing and tearing things to 

 pieces. He is playful with children, and he 

 likes to go into the fields with his master, 



