THE BADGER. 



303 



Several species are known in the various portions of North America, mostly in the South- 

 western States, and in Mexico. The group is peculiar to the American Continent. 



The curious animal whose portrait is presented to the reader is known under several 

 titles, among which the Sand-Bear is that by which it will be designated in these pages. It 

 is also called the Indian Badger, and sometimes the Balisaur, a name which is corrupted 

 from the Hindostanee word Balloo-soor, signifying Sand-Hog. There is a very great resem- 

 blance between this animal and the well-known badger, from which creature, however, it 

 may easily be distinguished by the greater comparative length of its legs, and the more hog- 

 like snout. 



The general color of the fur of the Sand-Bear is a yellowish-white, diversified by two black 

 bands that run on each side of the head, and unite by the muzzle. The upper of these bands 

 includes the ear and eye in its course, and curves downwards at the shoulder, where it is 



SAND-BEAR, OR BALISAUR.— Arctonyx collaris. 



nearly met by the dark hue of the fore-limbs. The claws are slightly curved, extremely 

 powerful, and well suited for digging in the ground, as the toes are united for their entire 

 length. The tail is extremely short. 



In its wild state the Sand-Bear is said to be fierce in disposition, and sufficiently powerful 

 to beat off a dog that would not hesitate to attack a wolf or a hyena. When attacked or irri- 

 tated, the Sand-Bear raises itself on its hind legs, after the manner of the bears, and threatens 

 its antagonist with its fore-limbs, in which it seems fully to trust. Its food is of a mixed 

 character, but appears to be more of a vegetable than an animal nature. It is not a very com- 

 mon animal, and is generally found in the hill country. 



Although one of the most quiet and inoffensive of our indigenous animals, the Badger 

 has been subjected to such cruel persecutions as could not be justified even if the creature 

 were as destructive and noisome as it is harmless or innocuous. For the purposes of so-called 

 "sport, 1 ' the Badger was captured and kept in a cage ready to be tormented at the cruel will 

 of every ruffian who might choose to risk his dog against the sharp teeth of the captive animal. 



Although the Badger is naturally as harmless an animal as can be imagined, it is a terrible 

 antagonist when provoked to use the means of defence with which it is so well provided. Not 

 only are the teeth long and sharp, but the jaws are so formed, that when the animal closes its 

 mouth the jaws "lock" together by a peculiar structure of their junction with the skull, and 

 retain their hold without the need of any special effort on the part of the animal. 



Unlike the generality of the weasel tribe, the Badger is slow and clumsy in its actions, 



