74 ' ANiaiALS IN MENAGERIES. 



in the earth ; and as it feeds during the night, its track, 

 in the morning, may be traced by small ridges of mould 

 recently turned up. 



Its dwelling is made in the earth, and with considerable 

 ingenuity. It selects some spot adjoining the root of 

 a large tree ; it here constructs a chamber beneath the 

 surface, of a globular form, and several feet in diameter ; 

 it makes the sides perfectly smooth and regular ,• it then 

 proceeds to make a subterraneous conduit or avenue, 

 about six feet in length, the external entrance to which 

 is concealed with twigs and dry leaves. In this retreat, 

 like the badger, it remains concealed during the day, 

 issuing forth at night to search after insects and worms. 

 Of the latter it seems very fond ; and it is, no doubt, 

 in searching after them that this animal injures the 

 seedling plants, without any intention of devouring the 

 latter. They live in pairs, and the female produces 

 two or three young at a birth. Like the mephitic 

 weasels, it possesses the power of ejecting an extremely 

 offensive odour, which spreads to so great a distance as 

 to infect the entire neighbourhood of a village ; and in 

 the immediate neighbourhood of the discharge it is so 

 strong as often to produce syncope. It cannot, how- 

 ever, be propelled to a greater distance than about two 

 feet, which is a much weaker discharge than what can 

 be effected by the skunk weasel of America. AV'hen 

 the natives suddenly surprise this animal, the flesh is 

 scarcely impregnated with the offensive odour, and it is 

 then said to be very delicious. 



In confinement, and when taken young, it is not fe- 

 rocious, and may be easily tamed. An individual kept 

 by Dr. Horsfield, soon became gentle, and was so well 

 reconciled to its situation as at no time to emit its of- 

 fensive fluid. While the doctor had it drawn, it was 

 tied to a small stake, about which it moved briskly, bur- 

 rowing the ground with its snout and feet as if in search 

 of food, without taking any notice of the bystanders. 

 On having some earthworms brought to it, the animal 

 fell on them voraciously, holding one extremity with its 



