THE BADGER. 181 
l^'ps. The badger differs from most animals 
being of a darker colour on the belly than 
the back. He possesses extraordinary 
strength, especially in the legs and feet, which 
formed for burrowing in the earth. 
The badger inhabits all the temperate coun- 
l^ies of Europe and Asia. He makes his ha- 
, station under ground, and is so cleanly that, 
his retreat be defiled by the fox or any other 
j^ast, he quits it for another. He seldom 
®9ves his hole in the day-time, feeding only by 
'^^Sht. His food consists chiefly of the smaller 
'I'^iadrupeds, as rabbits, or birds ; but Pennant 
^hl scarcely allow him to be carnivorous. He 
also said to be extremely fond of honey, 
sleeps much during winter, which he 
Passes, like the bear, in a half torpid state. 
Scarcely any animal has suffered more from 
^Ulgar prejudices than the badger. Harmless 
his nature, he seems to have had the cha- 
*^acter of ferocity attributed to him merely 
