THE BADGER 



he is not a carnivorous beast. He is most in- 

 teresting, useful, and cleanly withal. By the 

 last-named good quality he renders the greatest 

 service in preventing the spreading of mange 

 amongst foxes, for as he not infrequently takes up 

 his abode in a fox earth, his cleanly habits tend to 

 promote the health and general well-being of his 

 fellow-lodgers, who are apt to suffer severely at 

 times from their utter disregard of all sanitary 

 laws. 



So far from being harassed and suppressed, 

 badgers ought rather to be encouraged. In the 

 district in which I reside I am sorry to say that 

 much ignorance still prevails regarding the habits 

 of the badger, and I have heard it positively 

 asserted, and in all good faith, even by intelli- 

 gent people, that he is guilty of every possible 

 enormity. I have tried to enlighten them on the 

 subject, but they are too obstinate to be con- 

 vinced, and from time to time I hear of parties 

 being organized for the purpose of digging out 

 any badgers which may have taken up their 

 quarters on some one or other of the outlying 

 farms. 



I have heard it stated that the ham of a badger 

 is considered a great delicacy ; I must also admit 

 that I have heard this statement most flatly denied. 

 I should imagine that a badger would be as 

 nauseous an animal for food as could be found 

 in the whole world of nature, always excepting a 

 skunk. 



