MAMMALIA. 



37 



weapon than a stake which they endeavour to force into the 

 stomach, profiting by the moment when they rear upon their 

 hind legs the better to wrestle with their enemy, and to stifle 

 him in their embrace, according to their usual fashion. Their 

 flesh is much esteemed, and their paws are considered a deli- 

 cacy. U.Arctos; U. Americanus; U. Labiatus; U. Mari- 

 timus. 



Genus II. Procyon, Storr. Racoon. 



Canine teeth straight, three false molars pointed ; three 

 tuberculous molars behind, on each side. Tail, long, re- 

 sembles the Bear's. Inhabit North America and South 

 America. 



Genus III. Meles, Storr. Badger. 



These sad and timid animals inhabit the temperate regions 

 of Europe and of Asia, and dig for themselves, by means of 

 their claws, winding tunnels beneath the earth, which they 

 furnish with dry grass. They come out only at night in 

 search of their food, which consists of rabbits, field mice and 

 lizards. When pressed by hunger they content themselves 

 with roots and fruits. Only one species is known, which is 

 actively pursued for its fur which furnishes a stiff hair suit- 

 able for shaving brushes. When attacked, it throws itself 

 upon its back, and presents to its enemy its four feet, com- 

 bating with desperate resolution, and seldom dies unrevenged. 

 Have a small tooth behind the canine followed by two pointed 

 molars ; then comes in the upper jaw a carnivorous tooth behind , 

 which is a large square tuberculous one. Tail short; claws 

 of forefeet long, and a peculiar sac under the tail exuding a 

 fetid humour. Skin of its abdomen at least as thick as that 

 of its back. 



Tribe II. Digitigrada. 



Animals walking upon the extremity of the toes, lifting the 

 tarsus. Three groups, of which Plate 9 includes only the 

 two first. 



Group I. 



Only one tuberculous tooth behind the upper carnivorous ; 

 body very long ; limbs short, permitting them to pass through 

 the narrowest openings ; they have hence been called vermi- 



