THE CARNIVORA 375 



The Skunk is a stoutly built animal with short legs, a long 

 conical head with truncated snout, and a long bushy tail. The 

 general appearance of the animal is decidedly badger-like, and 

 it occurs throughout the whole of the temperate portion of North 

 America. From glands at the root of the tail the animal can 

 eject to a considerable distance twelve or fourteen feet, it is 

 stated a most horrible, foul-smelling fluid, with unerring aim. 



The Badger is the largest of the British Carnivores, for, although 

 the length of its body is not quite equal to that of the fox, in bulk 

 it far exceeds that animal. It is a heavy, long and stout bodied 

 animal, short -legged, with a tapering snout, and short, scrubby 

 tail. It is fond of retired situations, such as sheltered woods, 

 where it makes its large burrow or " earth." Its diet is decidedly 

 a mixed one, as it feeds on roots, fruit, eggs, insects, small mammals, 

 frogs, etc. When taken young it is easily tamed, and becomes 

 devotedly attached to its owner. In a state of nature it is a 

 very shy, wary animal, coming forth either in the early hours of 

 the dawn or in the evening to feed, retreating rapidly to its " earth " 

 at the least sound of danger, and therefore is seldom seen even 

 by people living in the country. The American Badger is very 

 similar in its habits and appearances. 



There are two species of Ratel one, the Cape Ratel (Mellivora 

 carpensis), occurs in South Africa ; the other, the Indian Ratel 

 (M. indica), being found in India. The animal is also known as 

 the ''Honey Badger," and is one of the exceptional animals whose 

 colour is lighter above than below. Its stiff, wiry hair is ashy- 

 grey on the upper surface, while on the under surface the muzzle, 

 limbs, and tail are black. Sleeping in its burrow during the day- 

 time, it issues forth at sunset to seek for the nests of the wild 

 bees, and for the birds, small mammals, and worms upon which 

 it feeds. 



The Grison is a weasel-like animal, found only in South America, 

 and distinguished from its nearest relatives, the martens and 

 weasles, by the fact that the colour of the upper is lighter than 

 that of the lower surface of the body, the former being grey, and 

 the latter dark brown. 



The Glutton, or Wolverene, is the largest of the Weasel group, 

 and is found over the greater part of the northern regions both 

 of the Old and New Worlds. It attains to a length of some three 



