RATELS. 81 
small mammals and birds as well as fruits and insects. All the species live in 
forests as a rule. 
THE RATELS. 
Genus Mellivora. 
The ratels or, as they are frequently called, honey-badgers, are distinguished 
from all the members of the family hitherto noticed by their more badger-like 
shape, very short tails, and the absence of any external ears. They are aptly 
WL pith 






THE CAPE RATEL (} nat. size). 
compared in gait and appearance by Mr. Blanford to small bears. There are 
but two living species, of which one is confined to India, and the other to 
Africa. 
In addition to their short tails and the absence of external ears, the ratels are 
characterised by their stoutly-built bodies, and short, powerful limbs, of which the 
front pair are provided with enormous claws. They walk with the greater part 
of the naked soles of the feet applied to the ground. As regards coloration, they 
show in a most marked degree the peculiarity to which we have already referred 
as characterising many members of the family; that is to say, the under-parts are 
dark, and the upper-parts lighter. In the present instance, the whole of the 
VOL. 11.—6 
