THE BADGER 



when they suspect any human infernal 

 machine. That he will remain for a week 

 or two at a time without issuing from his 

 " earth " is certain, but the most casual 

 observer will see badger tracks in the snow 

 in the severest weather, and I have never 

 been able to find that there were no tracks in 

 the snow issuing from the " earths " in winter 

 for more than a week or two at a time. 

 The badger is less active, eats less, goes 

 fewer and shorter journeys in -winter, and 

 has a hibernating tendency ; but the idea 

 that the British species shuts himself up 

 and takes to his bed through the winter 

 months, and never comes forth till spring, is 

 a fallacy. 



Having attempted a slight description of 

 the badger as far as his exterior is concerned, 

 I shall leave to " Dryasdust " the description 

 and nomenclature of the badger's interior 

 economy, as well as the enumeration, weights, 

 and measurements of his bones and muscles. 

 He possesses, however, one or two structural 

 peculiarities that deserve a little attention. 

 There is much similarity in the general 



31 



