226 FAMILY MELID.E ; RATEL, GLUTTON. 



ful claws, it digs for itself a deep and well-formed domicile, 

 consisting of several chambers, the inner one of which is of a cir- 

 cular form, and is comfortably lined with grass and hay. Here 

 the animal spends the day in repose, moving out only at night in 

 search of food. . The Badger possesses great muscular power, 

 especially in the jaws ; and the firmness of the grasp which it 

 can take with its teeth is increased by a peculiar conformation 

 of the joint, the condyle, or articulating head of the lower jaw, 

 being received deeply into the glenoid cavity, (ANIM. PHYSIOL., 

 623), which bends over it before and behind, so as to retain it 

 in its place, even when all the muscles and ligaments have been 

 removed. It may be easily tamed, if taken young ; and shows 

 great attachment to Man. The common species is still found in 

 some parts of England and Scotland, and in almost every other 

 country in Europe, though it is nowhere very abundant ; it also 

 extends over Middle Asia, and is said to be very common in 

 China, where it is used as food. There is a distinct species in 

 India, and another in North America ; but their habits seem to 

 bear a close resemblance to those of the one best known. The 

 Ratels or Honey Badgers, of which the best known species is an 

 inhabitant of the Cape, are thick-set, clumsy animals, nearly re- 

 sembling the Badgers. The Cape Ratel is celebrated for the de- 

 struction which it makes amongst the nests of the wild-bees, to the 

 honey of which it is very partial. This family also includes seve- 

 ral other animals, which connect it with neighbouring groups, and 

 manifest its peculiarities in a less striking degree. Among these 

 are the Gluttons of the northern regions of the Old and New 

 World ; which are evidently intermediate between the Polecat 

 and the Badger, agreeing with the former in their dentition, but 

 having more of the general figure and aspect of the latter. They 

 are slow and comparatively deficient in agility ; but they are 

 very persevering and determined, as well as cunning. They 

 often proceed at a steady pace for miles, hunting out weak or 

 dying animals, and stealing unawares upon hares, marmots, birds, 

 &c. They are said to surprise the larger animals, such as the 

 Reindeer and the Elk, as they lie asleep, or to mount on the 

 branches of trees and spring down upon them as they pass below, 



