Miners, Diggers, and Carpenters. 



then turns upward and out of the fortress by a tunnel 

 of its own, and is very rarely connected with any of 

 the other numerous exits of the fortress. The only 

 fortresses that I have seen without the bolt run have 

 been on marshy land, when such a tunnel would have 

 led to water." 



The Badger is another notable miner among animals, 

 frequenting lonely, thickly wooded hillsides and ravines, 

 for it is a shy animal and loves a quiet life. Amidst 

 such pleasant surroundings the Badger excavates its 

 large and roomy underground home, which may have 

 as many as six or eight exits, while the main passage 

 often branches towards its inner extremity. As a rule, 

 only one, or at most two, of these numerous 'tunnels 

 are used regularly as a means of communication with 

 the outer world, the others being constructed and 

 reserved as emergency outlets by means of which the 

 Badgers can make their escape should danger arise. 

 These additional tunnels also act as ventilating shafts 

 to the great living-room; for the Badger is the most 

 hygienic animal, and keeps its home beautifully clean. 

 It is a powerfully built animal, and has strong fore- 

 paws with stout claws and toes admirably adapted 

 for digging, which enable the animal to burrow down 

 into the earth with the most astonishing rapidity. Both 

 front and hind limbs are used in the work of excavation, 

 and dig away with powerful and vigorous strokes. In 

 driving a new tunnel into the earth the Badger is 

 able at first by vigorous kicks of the hind legs to 

 fling the soil backwards out of the entrance ; but as it 

 digs deeper and deeper this becomes impossible, and 

 another method has to be adopted. Every now and 



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