424 COMMON BADGER, 
voured ever since in vain to accomplish a recon- 
ciliation. Neither eggs nor fish, of which the 
animal is very fond, can appease his resentment. 
At the approach of the servant, he flies into si 
rage, his eyes kindle, he springs at the man, utters 
dolorous cries, and rejects every thing that is pre- 
sented to him, till the object of his resentment dis- 
appears. 
If any person strikes him, or if he be attacked 
by an animal that he thinks stronger than himself, 
lie makes no resistance, but like the hedge-hog, 
conceals his head and fbet, by rolling up his body 
in the form of a ball ; no complaint escapes him % 
and in this position, he calmly submits to be 
killed. 
He abhors children ; their crying irritates him ; 
and he makes every effort to spring upon them. 
A small bitch, of which he is fond, he chastises 
severely if she bark too loud. I know not why, 
several other animals equally detest sharp cries.” 
This species acquires not its full growth till it 
be two years and a half old. 
• A 
Common badger. 
This species has small eyes, short rounded earg* 
and a short thick neck ; his nose and chin, the 
lower side of his cheeks, and the middle of his 
forehead, are white ; his ears and eyes are inclosed 
in a pyramidal bed of black ; the hair on his body 
is long and coarse ; its bottom is of a yellowish 
white ; its middle is black ; and it is ash-coloured 
at the ends ; his throat, breast and belly, are black ; 
his tail is covered with long hair, of the same 
colour with that of the body ; his legs are very 
short and thick ; the claws on his fore feet are 
very long ; a fetid white matter exudes from the 
orifice beneath his tail. He is an animal of a very 
