CATALOGUE. 121 



found at the Cape, there is a stripe of a lighter grey colour between the 

 upper and lower parts, on which, combined with peculiarity of habits, 

 and some difference in the colour of the upper surface, several zoologists 

 have founded a specific distinction. Schinz (Synops. Mamm. p. 329) 

 enumerates it as Ratelus capensis, der Honig-Ratel, and Mr. Burton 

 (Proceed. Zool. Soc. Aug. 11, 1835, p. 113) gives a very minute 

 account of a specimen of the Indian badger, from the Upper Provinces 

 of Bengal, which he exhibited to the scientific meeting. He describes 

 the anatomical structure and exterior covering, and illustrates the 

 points in which it differs from the Cape Ratel. 



In an account of a living specimen of the Ratel from Madras, con- 

 tained in the Menagerie of the Zool. Soc. of London, Mr. E. T. Ben- 

 nett enters fully into the history of this animal, from its first discovery 

 at the Cape to a late period. He details the account which Sparrman 

 received from the Cape Colonists, of its mellivorous habits in South 

 Africa, with that which Gen. Hardwicke obtained on the continent of 

 India, and in conclusion of a very valuable essay states the following : 

 " As far as its manners have yet been developed, it appears to be, with 

 regard to man at least, one of the most playful and good-tempered 

 beasts, soliciting the attention of almost every visitor by throwing its 

 clumsy body into a variety of antic postures, and, when noticed, tumbling 

 head over heels with every symptom of delight. But towards animals it 

 exhibits no such mildness of temper : and it is curious to observe the 

 cat-like eagerness with which it watches the motions of any of the 



smaller among them that happen to pass before its den Its food 



is of a mixed nature, consisting, like that of the bears and other less 

 carnivorous beasts, of bread and milk in the morning and flesh in the 

 latter part of the day." (Gardens and Menagerie of the Zool. Soc. &c., 

 Quadrupeds, pp. 13 to 20.) 



On the continent of India, General Hardwicke informs us, it is found 

 on the high banks of the Ganges and Jumna, in the upper provinces. 

 " It is rarely seen by day ; but at night visits neighbouring towns and 

 villages inhabited by Mahommedans, and scratches up the recently 

 buried bodies of the dead, unless they are thickly covered by thorny 

 bushes." 



" When taken young, the Indian Badger is very manageable, docile, 

 and playful. It is a bold animal ; its hide remarkably thick, and its 

 strength too much for most dogs of common size. Its general food is 

 flesh in any state ; but it is remarkably eager after birds ; and crows, 

 which were sometimes given to an individual which I had domesticated, 

 were devoured with impatient avidity. Living rats seemed almost 



R 



