AMERICAN BADGER. 367 



a state of semi-torpidity. It cannot, however, be a very sound sleeper 

 in winter, as not only the individual which we examined in Charleston, 

 but even that which we kept in New York, continued tolerably active 

 through the winter. During the time of their long seclusion they do not 

 lose much flesh, as they are represented to be very fat on coming abroad 

 in spring. As this, however, is the pairing season, the)', like other ani- 

 mals of similar habits, soon become lean. 



The American Badger is said to produce from three to five young at 

 a litter. 



Several European writers, and among the more recent, Griffu-th, in 

 his Animal Kingdom, have respresented the Badger as leading a most 

 gloomy and solitary life, but we are not to suppose from the subterra- 

 nean habits of this species that it is necessarily a dull and unhappy 

 creature. Its fat sides are certainly no evidence of suffering or misery, 

 and its form is well adapted to the life it is destined to lead. It is, like 

 nearly all our quadrupeds, nocturnal in its habits, hence it appears dull 

 during the day, and cannot endure a bright light. To a being consti- 

 tuted like man, it would be a melancholy lot to live by digging under 

 ground, shunning the light of day and only coming forth under the 

 shadow of night ; but for this life the Badger was formed, and he could 

 not be happy in any other. We believe that a wise Providence has 

 created no species which, from the nature of its organization, must neces- 

 sarily be miserable ; and we should, under all circumstances, rather dis- 

 trust our short-sighted views than doubt the wisdom and infinite benevo- 

 lence of the Creator. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



The American Badger has a very extensive range. It has been traced 

 as far north as the banks of Peace River, and the sources of the River 

 of the Mountains, in latitude 58°. It abounds in the neighbourhood of 

 of Carlton-House, and on the waters that flow into Lake Winnepeg. 



Lewis and Clarke, and Townsend, found it on the open plains of the 

 Columbia, and also on the prairies east of the Rocky Mountains. 



We have not been able to trace it within a less distance from the At- 

 lantic than the neighbomhood of Fort Union. To the south we have 

 seen specimens which were said to have come from the eastern side of 

 the Rocky Mountains, in latitude 36°. There is a specimen in the collec- 

 tion of the London Zoological Society, the skull of which was described 

 and figured by Wateehouse, that was stated to have been received from 

 Mexico. It is probable that the Flacoyole of Fernandez, which was de- 

 scribed as existing in Mexico, is the same species. There is also another 



