( 208 ) 

 THE BADGER*. 



BROCK. GREYPATE. GREY. 



THE Badger is an indolent and stupid animal, 

 passing the greater part of its life in sleep. Dur- 

 ing the whole day it continues in its den, and 

 never appears abroad till the shades of night se- 

 cure it from observation; when, for a little while, 

 it ranges around in search of food. As soon as its 

 appetite is satisfied, it again retreats to its place of 

 repose. From thus indulging in indolence and 

 sleep, it sometimes becomes excessively fat. Most 

 naturalists have asserted that this animal passes the 

 severe weather of winter in an entirely torpid 

 state. A German writer has taken upon himself to 

 assert, that such is not the case; but that the Badger 

 preserves its heat and animation through the cold 

 months, by its address in burrowing so deep into 

 the ground as to be beyond the reach of the frost. 

 This writer has, however, entirely neglected to in- 

 form us on what food it is that the Badger subsists 

 during this period! 



* Ursus meks. Linn&us. La Blaireau. Buffon. 

 For the description of the Badger, see the Synopsis, p. 33, 

 No. 18. 



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