36 



VEkTEURATIiS ; MAMMALS. 



The Badger of western North Amcriea is about two 

 feet long, with a stout body and short tail, and its color 

 is gray- The hair is long, extending on the hind part 

 of the body so as nearly to conceal the tail. Badgers 

 li\'e in burrows, and dig with astoiiishing rapidity. 



Bears and Raccoons. 



Bears and others of this famil)- walk on the sole of 

 the foot. They feed upon flesh, berries, and roots. 

 The Raccoon of the United States is about as large 

 with a thick body, looking some- 

 what like a small Bear 

 with a long tail ; the 



as a middle-sized Do;. 



color is grayish, and 

 the tail is ringed A\'ith 

 black and dingy white. 

 Bears are very large. 

 The Grizzly, of the 

 Rocky Mountains, is six or eight feet in length, and 

 weighs in some cases eight hundred pounds, and the 

 nails or claws are si.x inches long. It is the most 

 powerful animal in America, and when wounded is 

 very dangerous to the hunter. It has been seen to 

 drag away a large bison, after killing it. The Black 

 Bear of the Northern States is much smaller than 

 the Grizzh' and less ferocious, seldom attacking men 

 when not molested ; but if disturbed when accompa- 

 nied by its cubs, it fights x-er}' sa\'agely. 



Seals and the Walrus. 



The Seals and tlie Walrus li\e in the sea, but often 

 come upon the rocks and ice-banks to lie in the sun- 



