84 THE WOLVERENE. 
The WOLVERENE, more popularly known by the name of the GLUTTON, 
has earned for itself a world-wide reputation for ferocity, and has given 
occasion to some of the older writers on natural history to indulge in the 
most unshackled liberty of description. 
It is known that the Glutton feeds largely on the smaller quadrupeds, and 
that it is a most determined foe to the beaver in the summer months. 
During the winter it has little chance 
of catching a beaver, for the animals 
are quietly ensconced in their home, 
and their houses are rendered so 
strong by the intense cold, that the 
Glutton is unable to break through 
their ice-hardened walls. 
The Wolverene is an inhabitant 
of Northern America, Siberia, and 
of a great part of Northern Europe. 
It was once thought that the Glutton 
and the Wolverene were distinct ani- 
mals, but it is now ascertained that they both belong to the same species. 
The general aspect of this animal is not unlike that of a young bear, and 
probably on that account it was placed by Linnzeus among the bears under 
the title of Ursus Luscus. The general colour of the Wolverene is a brownish 
black ; the muzzle is black as far as the eyebrows, and the space between 
the eyes of a browner hue. In some specimens a few white spots are scat- 
tered upon the under jaw. The sides of the body are washed with a tint of a 
warmer hue. The paws are quite black, and the contrast between the jetty 
fur of the feet and the alinost ivory whiteness of the claws is extremely 
curious. These white claws are much esteemed among the natives for the 
purpose of being manufactured into certain feminine adornments. 
The SKUNK, which is so celebrated for the horrible odour which emanates 
from it, belongs to the Weasel tribe. 
SCARCELY less remarkable for its ill-odour than the skunk, the TELEDU is 
not brought so prominently before the public eye as the animal which has 
just been described. 
It is a native of Java, and seems to be confined to those portions of the 
country that are not less than seven thousand feet above the level of the sea. 
On certain portions of these elevated spots, the Teledu, or Stinkard, as it is 
popularly called, can always be found. The earth is lighter on these spots 
than in the valleys, and is better suited to the habits of the Teledu, which 
roots in the earth after the manner of hogs, in search of the worms and 
insects which constitute its chief food. This habit of turning up the soil 
renders it very obnoxious to the native agriculturists, as it pursues the worms 
in their subterraneous meanderings, and makes sad havoc among the freshly- 
planted seeds. It is also in the habit -of doing much damage to the sprouting 
plants by eating off their roots. 
We are indebted to Mr. Horsfield for an elaborate and interesting account 
of the Teledu, an animal which he contrived to tame and to watch with 
singular success. The following passages are selected from his memoir :— 
“The Mydaus forms its dwelling at a slight depth bengath the surface, in 
the black mould, with considerably ingenuity. Having selected a spot 
defended above by the roots of a large tree, it constructs a cell or chamber 
of a globular form, having a diameter of several feet, the sides of which it 
makes perfectly smooth and regular; this it provides with a subterraneous 
conduit or avenue, about six feet in length, the external entrance to which it 
conceals with twigs and dry leaves. During the day it remains concealed, 
WOLVERENE. —; Gulo luscus.) 
