256 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



feet are very fhort, ftrong, and thick ; each foot confifts 

 of five toes ; thofe on the fore feet are armed with ftrong 

 claws, well adapted for digging its fubterranean habita- 

 tions. 



In walking, the Badger treads on its whole heel, like 

 the Bear ; which brings its belly very near the ground. 



Immediately below the tail, between that and the a- 

 nus, there is a narrow tranfverfe orifice, from whence a 

 white fubftance, of a very fetid fmell, conftantly exudes. 



The fkin, when drefied with the hair on, is ufed for 

 piftol furniture. — Its flem is eaten : The hind quarters 

 are fometimes made into hams, which, when cured, are 

 not inferior in goodnefs to the beft bacon. — The hairs 

 are made into brumes, which are ufed by painters to 

 foften and harmonize their {hades. 



