JAVANESE BADGER. 73 



in England^ and cannot, therefore, speak of this species 

 in a state of confinement. 



The size is rather less, and the form not so thick, as 

 that of the European badger. The fur is very soft and 

 fine. The general colour is hoary grey : the top of the 

 head is darker, divided by a narrow white Hne. The 

 usual length (including the tail, which is six inches) 

 does not exceed two feet and a half. * 



The Javanese Badger. 



Meles Javanensis, Swainson. Mephitis Javanensis, Raffles, Le 

 Telegon, Fred. Cuvier. Mydaces miliceps, ditto, Horsfield. 

 Teledu, Javanese. Seng^-gung, Sunda Javanese. Teleggo, 

 Sutnatrese. 



The Javanese badger appears to be that connecting link 

 in the chain of nature by which she unites the mephitic 

 weasels with the true badgers. We shall therefore regard 

 it as belonging to the latter tribe, although it has been 

 elevated to the rank of a distinct genus. Dr. Hors- 

 field has given us some long and interesting details on 

 the structure and habits of this curious animal, but we 

 regret our limits will only admit of a few brief extracts. 



In its natural state, the Javanese badger presents a 

 singular fact in its geographic distribution. It is con- 

 fined exclusively to those mountains in Java which 

 are elevated more than 7000 feet above the level of the 

 sea. On ascending these mountains, scattered over the 

 whole island, the traveller is sure to meet with this 

 animal, which is well known to the inhabitants of these 

 elevated regions ; whereas to those of the plains it is as 

 strange as any quadruped from a foreign country. In 

 the rich vegetable soil of these districts and elevated 

 valleys, most of the European pulse and fruit grow with 

 luxuriance, and it is here the badger holds its range as 

 the ancient proprietor of the soil ; it is a great annoy- 

 ance to the inhabitants, from its destroying the roots of 

 young plants. It uses its nose, like the hog, to burrow 



* North. Zool. i. 40. 



