THE SAND-BEAR. 



379 



specimens of the Mydaus, assured me that it could only propel the fluid to the distance 

 of about two feet. The fetid matter itself is of a viscid nature : its effects depend on 

 its great volatility, and the spread through a great extent. The entire neighborhood 

 of a village is infected by the odor of an irritated Teledu, and in the immediate vicin- 

 ity of the discharge it so violent as in some persons to produce syncope. The various 

 species of Mephitis in America differ from the Mydaus in the capacity of projecting 

 the fetid matter to a greater distance. 



The Mydaus is not ferocious in its manners, and, taken young, like the badger, it 

 might be easily tamed. An individual which I kept some time in confinement afforded 

 me an opportunity of observing its disposition. It soon became gentle and reconciled to 

 its situation, and did not at any time emit the offensive fluid. I carried it with me from 

 Mountain Prahu to Bladeran, a 

 village on the declivity of that 

 mountain, where the temperature 

 was more moderate. While a 

 drawing was made, the animal 

 was tied to a small stake. It 

 moved about quietly, burrowing 

 the ground with its snout and feet, 

 as if in search of food, without 

 taking notice of the bystanders, 

 or making violent efforts to dis- 

 engage itself ; on earth worms 

 (lumbrici) being brought, it ate 

 voraciously; holding one ex- 

 tremity of a worm with its claws, 

 its teeth were employed in tear- 

 ing the other. Having con- 

 sumed about ten or twelve, it 

 became drowsy, and making a 



small groove in the earth, in 

 which it placed its snout, it com- 

 posed itself deliberately, and was 

 soon sound asleep." 



TELEDU. Mydaus me//ceps. 



The color of the Teledu is a blackish brown, with the exception of the fur upon the 

 top of the head, a stripe along the back, and the tip of the short tail, which is a yel- 

 lowish white. The under surface of the body is of a lighter hue. The fur is long and 

 of a silken texture at the base, and closely set together, so as to afford to the animal 

 the warm covering which is needed in the elevated spots where it dwells. The hair is 

 especially long on the sides of the neck, and curls slightly upwards and backwards, 

 and on the top of the head there is a small transverse crest. The feet are large, and 

 the claws of the fore limbs are nearly twice as long as those of the hinder paws. 



In the whole aspect of the Teledu there is a great resemblance to the badger, and 

 indeed, the animal looks very like a miniature badger, of rather eccentric colors. 



THE curious animal whose portrait is presented to the reader is known under 

 several titles, among which the SAND-BEAR is that by which it will be designated in 

 these pages. It is also called the Indian Badger, and sometimes the Balisaur, a name 

 which is corrupted from the Hindostanee word Balloo-soor, signifying Sand-Hog. 

 There is a very great resemblance between this animal and the well-known English 

 badger, from which creature, however, it may easily be distinguished by the greater 

 comparative length of its legs, and the more hog-like snout. 



The general color of the fur of the Sand-Bear is of a yellowish-white, diversified by 

 two black bands that run on each side of the head, and unite by the muzzle. The upper 

 of these bands includes the ear and eye in its course, and curves downwards at the 

 shoulder, where it is nearly met by the dark hue of the fore-limbs. The claws are 



