Ursid^. MAMMALIA. Ursid.®. 73 
sented only by a slight elevation of the integument 
twelve incisors, four canines, sixteen false and six true 
j 
round the auditory opening. The teeth are thirty-two 
molars, four of the latter belonging to the lower jaw. 
in number — that is, twelve incisive, four canine, a 
The limbs are short, and terminate in semi-plantigrade 
dozen spurious molars, and four true ones ; none of 
five-toed feet, the digits of wdiich are furnished with 
these so-called grinding teeth are tuberculated, and 
powerful sharp claws. The fur exhibits a dark maroon 
this peculiarity alone constitutes a distinctive character. 
or reddish-brown colour, becoming almost black as 
The limbs are short, terminating in semi-plantigrade 
winter sets in; on either side a light reddish band. 
pentadactylous feet, the digits of which are furnished 
inclining to white, extends from the shoulder to the 
with very powerful claws, and are admirably adapted 
hip, but it is more conspicuous in some individuals 
for the purposes of burrowing. The ratel by this 
than in others. The hair of the tail is black, the under 
means grubs up the nests of wild bees, and is led to 
part of the throat and chest being more or less marked 
their haunts by watching the behaviour and return of 
with pale whitish streaks. In regard to the gluttonous 
these insects at evening-time. He is said also, like the 
habits of this animal, perhaps no creature has had 
native Hottentots, to listen to the note of the Honey 
its digestive capacities more wantonly exaggerated ; 
Guide Cuckoo, which indicates the spot where the 
and in these days it is well that our recoids of the 
desired treasure is to be found. According to Peters, 
instincts and habits of various creatures should be 
it also feeds on birds, rats, and snakes, a statement 
marked by the enunciations of sober truth, and the 
which entirely coincides with the opinion formed by 
distinctions between fact and mere fiction sedulously 
a distinguished naturalist who, from a careful exami- 
maintained. The legendary tales of Ysbrandt, Olaus 
nation of the dentition, was led to express the follow- 
Magnus, Buffon, and many others, in which the fero- 
ing sentiments: — “It requires,” observes Mr. Bennett, 
city, cunning, and voracity of the glutton are duly set 
“the most positive evidence to convince us that an 
forth, have too often been accepted as embodying 
animal, the number and disposition of whose teeth cor- 
actual truths. But by far the best account yet given 
respond more closely with those of the cat than any 
of this animal is that by Sir John Richardson, who 
Other animal with which we are acquainted, and 
thus fairly estimates his stomachal powers and cunning 
exhibit a carnivorous character scarcely, if at all. 
propensities : — “ The wolverene is a carnivorous ani- 
inferior to that which is evidenced by the same organ 
mal, which feeds chiefly upon the carcasses of beasts 
in the hysenas, should subsist entirely, as from these 
that have been killed by accident. It has great 
accounts we are led to believe, upon the petty rapine 
strength, and annoys the natives by destroying their 
of a hive of bees and the honied produce of their comb. 
hoards of provisions and demolishing their marten 
Still there exist such decisive marks of a diminished 
traps. It is so suspicious that it will rarely enter a 
capacitj' for preying on animal food, in the thickset 
trap itself, but, beginning behind, scatters the logs of 
and clumsy form of its body, the shortness of its limbs. 
which it is built, and then carries off the bait. It feeds 
its partially-plantigrade walk, the structure of its 
also on meadow-mice, marmots, and other Eodentia, 
muzzle, and even in the form of the teeth themselves. 
and occasionally on other disabled quadrupeds of a 
as to induce us to pause before we determine to reject 
larger size. I have seen one chasing an American 
the popular testimony as unworthy of credit, although 
hare, which was at the same time harassed by a snowy 
we must regard it as doubtful on some particular 
owl. It resembles the bear in its gait, and is not fleet ; 
points, and insufficient and imperfect on the whole.” 
but it is very industrious, and no doubt feeds well, as 
Messrs. Shaw and Plardwicke have described, in the 
it is generally fat. It is much abroad in the winter. 
Transactions of the Linnsean Society, another species of 
and the track of its journey in a single night may be 
ratel {Mellivora indica) inhabiting the upper regions of 
traced for many miles. From the shortness of its legs. 
the Indian peninsula. The tail of this form is shorter. 
it makes its way through loose snow with difficulty. 
and there is no appearance of the characteristic white 
but when it falls upon the beaten track of a mai’ten- 
band above mentioned. 
trapper it will pursue it for a long way. Mr. Graham 
THE GLUTTON OR WOLVERENE {Gulo luscMs ). — 
observes that the ‘ wolverenes are extremely mischiev- 
As before remarked, we do not now discuss the nicely- 
ous, and do more damage to the small fur trade than 
balanced question as to whether the genera here allied 
all the other rapacious animals conjointly. They will 
together would be more appropriately placed among the 
follow the marten-hunter’s path round a line of traps 
weasels or cats. No injury is done to the harmony 
extending forty, fifty, or sixty miles, and render the 
of zoological sequence by placing these animals side 
whole unserviceable, merely to come at the baits. 
by side with the typical forms of the great ursine group. 
which are generally the head of a partridge or a bit of 
provided it is understood that we only employ the 
dried venison. They are not fond of the martens 
famil}' title in its most comprehensive signification. 
themselves, but never fail of tearing them in pieces or 
The wolverene (Plate 1 Ifig. 36) is about the size of the 
of burying them in the snow by the side of the path. 
common badger, and measures two and a half feet in 
at a considerable distance from the trap. Drifts of 
length, not including the thick bushy tail, which is 
snow often conceal the repositories thus made of the 
rather more than half a foot in length, the terminal 
martens from the hunter, in which case they furnish a 
hairs reaching four or five inches further. The body 
regale to the hungry fox, whose sagacious nostril unerr- 
is strongly arched, especially along the back. The 
ingly guides him to the spot. Two or three foxes are 
head is broad and pointed at the muzzle, the ears being 
often seen following the wolverene for this purpose.’ 
short, rounded, and partly concealed by the fur. The 
The wolverene is said to be a great destroyer of 
jaws are provided with thirty-eight teeth — there being 
beavers, but it must be only in the summer when those 
VoL. I. lO 
