183 
the badger. 
of the modes usually practised for taking 
^liis animal. When his den is discovered, and 
is ascertained that he is abroad in the night, 
^ Sack is fastened to the mouth of it. One 
Person remains near the hole to watch, while 
^liother, with a dog, heats round the fields to 
'^five him home. As soon as the man at the 
I ^ole hears that a badger has run in for refuge, 
I seizes the mouth of the sack, ties it up, 
carries it otf. Sometimes the badgers are 
'^'iUght in steel traps placed in their haunts. 
The flesh of the badger, although not es- 
i '■^eined a delicacy, is neither unwholesome 
I 'lor unpalatable : the hind quarters, especially 
"'^len made into hams and well cured, are 
deemed by some not inferior to bacon. It is 
l^ost valued for its skin, which is converted 
coarse furs, horse-trappings, pistol fur- 
niture, and other articles ; while the hair is 
n^ade into brushes, used by painters to soften 
i'iteir shades. 
