BADGERS. 85 



severe. Then, again, the upper molar tooth, instead of being triangular and of 

 nearly the same size as the flesh-tooth, is oblong in form, and very much larger 

 than the latter, recalling in this respect the corresponding tooth of the bears ; a 

 further analogy with that group being presented by the small size of the first 

 three premolar teeth. Another feature in which the true badgers differ from the 

 American badger is to be found in the great development of the posterior heel of 

 the lower flesh-tooth, which exceeds in length the whole of the remainder of the 



THE COMMON BADGER (l nat. size). 



tooth, this expanded heel having to bite against the enlarged upper molar tooth. 

 The skull of the badger is also peculiar on account of the close interlocking of the 

 lower jaw with the skull proper, the articulation being so perfect that it is im- 

 practicable to detach the one from the other without fracture. Needless to say, it 

 is, therefore, impossible for one of these animals to dislocate its lower jaw. 



In general bodily conformation the Old World badgers very closely resemble 

 their transatlantic ally ; and their hairs are similarly banded with different colours, 

 producing the well-known grizzled hue of the fur so characteristic of all these 

 animals. The skin of the common badger is remarkably large and loose, enabling 



