R A CKOONS. BADGERS. 



He is low on his iegs ; his body, his neck, and especially his head, 

 are more elongated than in any other species of this genus ; lastly, 

 the interior of" his mouth is entirely black. This animal inhabits 

 the glacial regions of the northern hemisphere ; it feeds on fishes, 

 young amphibia, and young cetacea ; nevertheless, he is not essen- 

 tially carnivorous, and can very well be brought to live on bread 

 alone. He swims and dives with astonishing facility. White bears 

 are sometimes met in numerous troops, which also distinguishes 

 them from the other bears which are always solitary; but these 

 animals resemble each other in requiring a retreat in winter. For 

 this purpose they content themselves with some cleft in the rocks or 

 even in a mass of ice ; and without preparing any bed, they there 

 Jie down, and permit themselves to be buried under enormous 

 masses of ice ; they pass in this way the months of January and 

 February in a true lethargy. 



10. 3d. The Black Bear Ursiis Jim ericanus lives in forests, 

 feeds on fruits and flesh, is skilful in fishing, and dwells in 

 the hollows of living trees. It is found in all the northern parts 

 of America. In the Rocky Mountains and elevated regions of 

 the Missouri, there is another species which is much larger, 

 stronger, and fiercer: it is called the Grizzly Bear, and its fur 

 which is greyish, is much esteemed. 



1 1. The RACKOONS Procyon, very much resemble bears, ex- 

 cept that they have a Jong tail ; they have very nearly the same 

 habits as those animals, but are better climbers and more carnivo- 

 rous; they are of moderate size, and inhabit the forests of America. 

 There is one species which is curious from its singular habit of 

 never eating anything without previously plunging it into water. 



12. The BADGERS Meles are nocturnal animals, having a 

 cringing gait, a very short tail, the toes very much enveloped in 

 the skin, and are particularly distinguished by having a pouch 

 situate beneath the tail, from which exudes a fatty, foetid oil. 

 The nails on their fore paws being very long, enables them to dig 

 with great effect. Their hair is long and silky. 



13. The common Badyer, Mtli8 Europea which inhabits the 

 temperate regions of Europe and Asia, and keeps at the bottom 

 of an oblique, tortuous hole, is of the stature of a middle sized 

 dog. The length of its hair veils its legs, so that its body seems 

 to be raised but little above the earth. Formerly, the hunting of 



10. What are the habit- of the BLck Bear 1 Where is it found ? 



11. What are Rac-ki ons ? 

 12 What are Badgers? 



13. What are the habits of tbe common Badtei ? What parts of the 

 world do<s it inhabit ? Do^s this auirrru live in holes? IB it much hunted ' 

 What is the use of its hair ? 



