380 THE BADGER. 



value to that of the Beaver ; it is used also in linings 

 for garments. The skins, when properly dressed, 

 make good gloves, and upper-leathers for shoes.—* 

 The Negroes frequently eat the flesh of the Rac- 

 coon, and are very fond of it*. 



THE BADGER 'f'. 



The Bads-er is an animal well known In this 



o 



country. It general length is about two feet and 

 a half; and that of the tail, six inches. Irs body and 

 legs are thick. The eyes and ears are small; and 

 the claws of the fore le;i,s long and straight. It is 

 of an unifoi ai grey colour above, and in the under 

 parts entirely black. The face is white ; and along 

 each side of the head, runs a black pyramidal stripe, 

 which includes the eyes and ears. The hair is coarse, 

 and the teeth and claws peculiarly strong. — It is 

 occasionally found in all the temperate parts of Eu- 

 rope and Asia. 



Though in itself a harmless and inoffensive ani- 

 mal, living principally on roots, fruit, and other ve- 

 getable food, the Badger has been provided by Nature 

 with such weapons, that few creatures can attack it 

 with impunity. The address and courage with which 

 it defends itself against beasts of prey, have caused 

 it to be frequently baited with dogs, as a popular 



* Brickells Nat. Hist, of Carolina. 

 t Synonyms. — TJrsus Meles. Linn. — Common Bacli^cr. Pcim. — 

 IViofk. Grey-pate, liai/, — Blaireu. Btcfon. — S/ia-w'i Gen. Zool.pl. 

 J06. Btiv. Suad. 254. 



