302 
VERTEBRATA. 
THE CAPE RATEL. 
lengtli tliree feet, the tail about a sixth of this length; height about ten or twelve inches. The 
liide is tough and loose, like that of the badger, so that, if any one catches hold of it by the back 
part of the neck, it is able to turn round in its skin, and bite the offending arm. The claws of 
the fore-feet are particularly well formed for grubbing. The teeth consist of six incisors common 
to nearly all carnivorous quadrupeds, two canines and eight cheek teeth in each jaw. 
With respect to the habits of these animals, we can do little more than* give an abstract of 
Sparrman's version of the relations of the Hottentots and of the Dutch colonists, which has been 
adopted by all subsequent authors. The bees, according to this author, furnish the ratel with his 
principal, if not his only, means of subsistence. These insects are accustomed to take up their 
abode in holes in the earth, formed by various burrowing quadrupeds, and the ratel is endowed 
with peculiar sagacity for discovering their nests, which it undermines with its powerful claws, in 
order to feast upon the honey contained in them. Aware that sunset is the period at which the 
bees return to their homes, it chooses that time for making its observations, which are conducted 
in. a very curious manner. Seated upon the gi'ound with one of its paws raised, so as to shade 
from its eyes the rays of the declining sun, it peers cautiously on either side of this singular kind 
of parasol, until it perceives a number of bees flying in the same direction. These it carefidly 
marks, and follows in their track until it has safely lodged them in their nests, which it immedi- 
ately commences pillaging. But if it should happen that, contrary to their usual custom, they 
have built in the hollow of a tree, the ratel, being unable to climb, and angry at its disa,ppoint- 
ment, wreaks its vengeance upon the senseless stock by biting around it, and the Hottentots know 
well that such marks on the trunk of a tree are certain indications of a bee's nest being contained 
within it. 
It is added,,that the ratel, as well as the native inhabitants of the neighborhood of the Cape, 
is sometimes guided in this search after honey by a little bird, the honey-cuckoo, which it seems 
has sagacity enough to know that both men and beasts are fond of the tempting spoil. This lit- 
tle creature, although incapable of storming a hive in its own person, takes advantage of the pro- 
pensity that exists in others who are better fitted for the task, and invites the Hottentot or the 
