250 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



plundered the neft, leaves fufficient behind it as a reward 

 for the fervices of its faithful guide. The Ratel is well 

 adapted to this purpofe, as the toughnefs and thicknefs 

 of its fkin effectually defends it from the flings of the 

 bees. 1 On this account, it is not eafily killed; for its 

 fkin is fo loofely attached to its body, that, when feized 

 by a hound, it gives way, and the animal has an opportu- 

 nity of turning round, and biting its aflailant, which it 

 frequently does fo feverely, as to oblige him to defift. 



The Ratel, according to Mr Penant, is two feet long 

 from the nofe to the tail, which is eight inches ; its legs 

 are fhort ; on each foot it has four toes, armed with long 

 claws j thole on the fore feet are above an inch long, and 

 very (harp ; its tongue is rough ; it has no ear-laps ; the 

 orifice of the ear is wide, and furrounded by a callous 

 rim ; a broad ftripe, of an afli colour, extends along the 

 back from the forehead to the tail, which is feparated 

 from the black hair on the fides and belly by a light-grey 

 lift running from behind each ear to the tail. It bur- 

 rows in holes under ground, is faid to be very fetid, and 

 is called the Stinking Badger by M. de Caille. 



