THE MATEL. 



193 



the insects which it observes on the wing. Spamnann states that it seats itself on a hillock to look out 

 for the Bees, and shades its eyes with one fore-paw against the rays of the setting sun. 



It is a stupid animal, very sleepy during the day, and issuing from its burrows at sunset to seek 

 for the birds, tortoises, insects, and worms on which it feeds. It is very tenacious of life, and is 



well protected from attacks by the thickness and looseness of its skin, and the thick subcutaneous 

 layer of fat. It also possesses an additional means, if not of defence, at least of offence, in its tail 

 glands, the secretion of which is very strong and pungent as to its odour. It is still further advan- 

 taged by its burrowing powers ; it will scratch up a hole, and disappear into it in an incredibly short 

 space of time. 



The Eatels in the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park (where the habits of all the animals 

 will repay the study of the most casual observer) exhibit a remarkable peculiarity. We have 

 very frequently watched one of them run round and round his cage in the usual purposeless 

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