THE BADGER. 



!! 



Badgers. 



This harmless and much injured animal (which is often subjected to such ill treatment that the term 

 •'badgering" a person is used to express irritating him in every possible way,) is found throughout Europe 

 and Asia. It is not now very common in England, but is frequently found in Scotland, where it is termed 

 the " Brock," a name familiar to us all, through the means of Dandle Dinmont. who also immortalized the 

 pepper and mustard terriers. 



The Badger lives at the bottom of deep burrows which it excavates, and in which it passes all the day, 

 sleeping on a very comfortable bed of hay and grass. When the evening approaches it seeks its food, 

 consisting of roots, fruit, insects, and sometimes young rabbits. It is also said to attack the wild bee, and 

 boldly to devour the honey and combs, its thick hair and skin rendering it utterly regardless of the stingH 

 of the enraged bees, who "might as well sting a barber's block." 



The Badger leads the most solitary and quiet life, not being found in company even with the females of 

 its own species. When attacked, it shows great resolution and courage, grappling with a dog of twice its 

 own weight, and keeping a firm hold with its teeth. When taken young they may be easily tamed, and 

 evince much docility and playfulness. No treatment, however kind, can change the character of the adult. 



The cruel sport of baiting the Badger is still continued. The poor creature is placed inside a kennel, and 

 dogs set at it, who are not unfrequently worsted by the Badger, as its bite is terrific, and its skin so tough, 

 and hair so thick, that the bites of the dog do not take full effect. The pleasure of this " sport," as in 

 many other diversions of the sporting world, appears to consist in trying whether the dogs or the Badger 

 will be most mangled in a given time. 



Its skin is rather valuable, the hair being extensively employed in the manufacture of brushes, and its 

 fur being in some request for holsters. The omnivorous and thrifty Chinese cat its flesh, as indeed they 

 will that of most animals, and consider its hams a very great dainty. The length of the Badger is nbou* 

 two feet three inches. 

 (79) 



