302 



VERT E 1> II A T A . 



• te ; 



THE CAPE RATEL. 



length three feet, the t;iil about a sixth of this length; height about ten or twelve inches. The 

 hide is tough and loose, like that of the badger, so that, if any one catches hold of it by the bad; 

 part of the neck, it is able to turn round in its skin, and bite the offending arm. The claw 



fore-feet arc particularly well formed for grubbing. The teeth consist of six incisors common 

 !•> nearly all carnivorous quadrupeds, two canines and eight cheek teeth in each jaw. 



With respect to the habits of these animals, we can do little more than give an abstract ot 

 Sparrman's version of the relations of the Hottentots and of the Dutch colonists, which has 1 

 adopted by all subsequent authors. The bees, according to this author, furnish the ratel with Lis 

 principal, it' not his only, means of subsistence. These insects are accustomed to take up their 

 abode in holes in the earth, formed by various burrowing quadrupeds, and the ratel is endowed 

 with peculiar sagacity for discovering their nests, which it undermines with its powerful claws, in 

 order to feast upon the honey contained in them. Aware that sunset is the period at which tin 



I s return to their homes, it chooses that time for making its observations, which are condu 



in a very curious manner. Seated upon the ground with one of its paws raised, so as to shad* 

 from its ey< - the rays of the declining sun, it peers cautiously on either side of this singular kind 

 ot' parasol, until it perceives a number of bees flying in the same direction. These it carefalh 

 marks, and follows in their track until it has safely lodged them in their nests, which it immedi 

 ately commences pillaging. Hut if it should happen that, contrary to their usual custom, thej 

 have built in the hollow of a tree, tic ratel, being unable to climb, and angry at its disappoint 

 ment, wreaks its vengeance upon the senseless stock by biting around it, and the Hottentots know 

 well that snch marks on the trunk of a tree are certain indications of a bee's m-t being containe 

 within it. 



It i< added, that the ratel, a- w.ll as the native inhabitants of the neighborhood of the I 

 i- sometimes guided in this search after honey by a little bird, the honey-cuckoo, which it m 

 has Bagacity enough to know that both men ami beasts are fond of the tempting spoil. This lit 

 tie creature, although incapable of storming a hive in its own person, takes advantage of the pn 

 Density that exists in others who are better fitted for the task, and invites the Hottentot or tb 



