MAMMALIA— WOLVERENE. 



121 



has little chance of digging them out at a time when the ground is frozen 

 into a solid rock. Like the bears, the badgers do not lose much flesh dur- 

 ing their long hibernation ; for on coming, abroad in the spring, they are 

 observed to be very fat. As they pair, however, at that season, they soon 

 become lean. 



This badger is a slow and timid animal, taking to the first earth it comes 

 to, when pursued ; and as it makes its way through the sandy soil with the 

 rapidity of a mole, it soon places itself out of the reach of danger. The 

 strength of its fore feet and claws is so great, that one which had insinuated 

 only its head and shoulders into a hole, resisted the utmost eflbrts of two 

 stout young men, who endeavored to drag it out by the hind legs and tail, 

 until one of them fired the contents of his fowling piece into its body. 

 Early in the spring, however, when they first begin to stir abroad, they may 

 be easily caught by pouring water into their holes ; for the ground being 

 frozen at that period, the water does not escape through the sand, but soon 

 fills the hole, and its tenant is obliged to come out. 



The American badger appears to be a more carnivorous animal than the 

 European one. A female which I killed, had a small marmot, nearly 

 entire, together v/ith some field mice, in its stomach. It had also been eat- 

 ing some vegetable matters. — Richardson. 



THE WOLVERENE. 1 



Tins animal has a broad, compact head, which is suddenly rounded off on 

 every side, to form the nose. In the shape of its jaws it resembler. a dog. 

 Its ears are low, rounded, and much hid by the surrounding fur. The back 



1 (tuIo ardicus. The genus Gu!o has six upper and six lower incisors ; two upper 

 anil two lower canines ; ten or ei^ht upper and twelve lower molars. The throe first 

 molars in the upper and the four in the lower jaw small, succeeded by a large carnivorous 

 tooth, and a small tuberculous one at the hack; body low; head moderately elongated; 

 ears short and round ; tail short ; feet pentadactyle ; toes with crooked nails ; no anal pouch. 

 16 



