THE HONEY RATEL 
expression of pleasure. The dog was not much 
alarmed, and was inclined to take the whole affair 
in a sporting spirit. Tiring of dodging about, the 
dog stood still, and once again bowling itself at 
it the ratel collided with the dog rather violently, 
whereupon the terrier seized the ratel’s hide and 
worried it fiercely, but the animal took it all in good 
part, and, drawing back a few paces, again trundled 
itself against the dog. By this time the terrier had 
lost his temper and assaulted the ratel in real earnest, 
but the ratel didn’t seem to mind. She took care, 
however, only to allow the dog to worry away at 
the tough skin of her back, and seemed to enjoy 
the process. Thinking the dog might bite on 
some tender part and enrage her, we carried her 
off to her cage. 
This ratel goes by the name of Jeannie, and for 
the past four years has been confined in a cage at 
Port Elizabeth Museum. It is a great favourite with 
practically all the children of the town, as well as 
most of the adults. 
Everyone in or near Port Elizabeth knows Jeannie 
the ratel. She is subjected to rather rough treat- 
ment at times by visitors, but she takes it all in good 
part, for it seems impossible to hurt her, so thick 
and tough is her skin. You may pull her about 
by the tail, pinch her, prod her with a stick, play 
football or almost anything you please with her 
body; and instead of getting angry she imagines 
you are doing it all to please her, and in consequence 
153° 
