THE RATEL. 
451 
can destroy the smell. The skunk lives 
upon birds, eggs, small reptiles and mice; 
it also eats insects, and is fond of honey and 
other sweets. It is said that when kept 
long in captivity the offensive smell nearly 
or quite disappears.” 
“I think it is the last animal I should 
choose for a pet,” said Sidney. “It would 
he worse than old Mrs. Dolan’s pet pig.” 
“ In the genus Eira, which we shall next 
notice,” continued Miss Winston, “we shall 
find two quite remarkable animals,—namely, 
the honey-ratel and the glutton. The 
honey-ratel is about two feet in length, 
shaped like a badger, with very harsh coarse 
fur, and a skin so tough that the stings of 
the bees seem to make no impression upon 
it. It feeds upon all kinds of animal sub¬ 
stances, and has been accused of making 
deep galleries leading into the graves of 
men, in order that it may devour the bodies; 
but its favourite feast consists of honey and 
bees L It has sufficient sense or instinct to 
act in concert with the honey-guide. This 
bird shows the way to the nest, which the 
ratel scratches open by means of his power¬ 
ful claws, and the confederates make an 
