336 
MAMMALIA. 
near the root of its tail. Being extremely cunning, it manifests 
much sagacity in avoiding traps ; hut it is courageous, and 
will defend itself stoutly when attacked. When Dogs are pur- 
suing it, its first effort is to get to its burrow, where it would 
probably be safe ; but if the place of refuge be at a distance, 
the Badger will fight to the death. In such cases, the animal 
throws itself on its back, and seldom yields up life without 
inflicting severe wounds on its enemies. But if, on the con- 
trary, the Badger reaches its hole, it becomes a difficult matter 
to dig it out, as it is often necessary to break through into the 
Fig. 133.— Common Badger ( Meles vulgaris, Dumarest). 
runs of the burrow by means of a pickaxe ; and these runs go ! 
down so deep, and occupy so much space, that whole days have 
been consumed before the animal could be secured. 
When caught young, the Badger may be easily tamed, and 
becomes almost as familiar as a Dog. The great variety of food 
which it thrives upon renders it easy to keep. Its skin is used by 
harness-makers, its hair serves for the manufacture of shaving- ji 
brushes, and its flesh is said to be delicate. 
In India, the Badger is represented by Meles cottaris, frequently 1 
called Bear Pig ; and in North America, by Meles lobradoria , the 
form and habits of the latter have been admirably described by 
Sir John Bichardson in his Fauna Boreali Americana. 
