OEDEE OP OAENIVOEA. 335 



Kalm, in his Voyage dans I'Atnerique Septentrionale, thus speaks 

 of this animal : — 



" In 1749, one of these creatures came near the farm where I 

 was staying ; it was during the night, and in winter-time, but the 

 dogs woke up and pursued it. In a moment it diffused around 

 so foetid a stench that, although I was in bed, I thought I should be 

 suffocated, even the cows bellowed, this smell was so disagreeable. 

 Towards the end of the same year, a Skunk crept into our cellar ; 

 a female, who perceived it at night from the glittering of its eyes, 

 killed it ; and, in an instant, the cellar was filled with such an 

 odour, that not only was the woman ill from its effects for several 

 days, but the bread, the meat, and other provisions which 

 were kept in the cellar were so tainted that they could not be 

 used, and it was necessary to throw them all away to render 

 the place fit for use." 



The Badgers (Meks, Cuv.) — The Badger is a thick-set animal, 

 standing low on its legs, about the size of our Common Fox, and, 

 except in regard to bulk, much resembling the Bear in its general 

 appearance. It has an elongated muzzle, very sensitive at the tip, 

 strong jaws, and sharp-pointed teeth ; its fore-feet are armed with 

 stout claws, well adapted for digging. Its hair is long, and, 

 contrary to what is observed in other Mammals, it is of a 

 lighter shade on the upper part of the body than on the belly 

 and legs ; its tail is short and hairy. It secretes a viscous and 

 disagreeable-smeUing humour in a gland placed near its tail. 

 Its gait in walking is heavy and awkward. 



The Badger (Fig. 133) is common in the temperate parts of 

 Europe and Asia and North America ; it is met with frequently 

 in France. It lives a solitary life in the most deserted neigh- 

 bourhoods, where it digs out a burrow with several outlets, the 

 various " runs " intersecting one another, and sometimes attaining 

 a considerable length. It is very shy, and nocturnal in its habits. 

 It feeds on small animals of all kinds. Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, 

 and Insects ; also roots, fruit, and honey. It may, therefore, be 

 called omnivorous in its nature. It can endm-e very long absti- 

 nence; for it has been known to remain entirely without food 

 for forty-eight days, without showing indications of want at 

 the expiration of that time ; and in periods of famine the animal, 

 it is said, sustains itself by licking the gland which is placed 



