THE 
R A T ELS. 
Mellicora mpensis ,)■ M. indica. 
Plate IX. 
The Iiatels or Honey-bears of India, and Africa are certainly amongst the most popular objects to be found in 
the Society’s collection. Throughout the summer months their sportiye actions and never-failing somersaults 
attract a host,of visitors. Instead of depicting these animals in their natural haunts, as has been usually 
done in these Sketches, Mr. Wolf has pourtrayed the whole party at play in their well-known cage in the 
Regent’s Park Gardens, with a group of spectators admiring their gambols. 
The South African llatel (Mellicora capensis), is readily known from its Indian congener by the broad 
white stripe running along each side of its back. Sparrman—a Swedish naturalist of the last century, and 
a recognized authority upon the animals of the Cape—tells us some extraordinary facts concerning it, which, 
like many other stories of the older authors, have not been confirmed by subsequent observers. The bees, 
according to Sparrman, furnish the llatel with his principal if not his only means of subsistence. “ These 
insects are accustomed to take up their abode in holes in the earth formed by various burrowing quadrupeds; 
and the Rate] is endOAved Avith peculiar sagacity for discovering their nests, which it undermines with its 
powerful claAVS, in order to feast upon the honey contained in them. AAvare that sunset is the period at 
which the bees return to their homes, it chooses that time for making its observations, which are conducted in 
a very curious manner. Seated upon the ground with one of its paws raised so as to shade from its eyes the 
rays of the declining sun, it peers cautiously on either side of this singular kind of parasol, until it perceives 
a number of bees flying in the same direction. These it carefully marks, and follows in their track until it 
has safely lodged them in their nest, Avhich it immediately commences pillaging. But if it should happen 
that contrary to their usual custom, they have built in the holloAV of a tree, the Ratel, being unable to climb 
and angry at its disappointment, wreaks its vengeance upon the senseless stock by biting around it; and the 
Hottentots knoAV Avell that such marks on the trunk of a tree are certain indications of a bees’ nest being 
contained Avithin it.” 
Such is Sparrman’s account of the African Ratel, and although numerous travellers harm investigated 
the Natural History of the Southern part of Africa since his time, I cannot discover that any one of them 
has given us more authentic details concerning its mode of life. Of the habits of its Indian representative 
Ave haA^e more reliable information from several Avriters. 
The Indian Ratel ( Mellicora indica), is, as al'.eady pointed out, externally recognizable by the want of the 
Avhite stripes on the flanks, and internally by several characters pointed out by Mr. Burton in an article on 
this animal, published in the Zoological Society’s “Proceedings” for 1831. “It is impossible,” says Mr. 
Burton, in the course of his observations, “to examine this animal, even in the most cursory manner, Avithout 
coining to the conclusion that it is wonderfully adapted for making its way beneath the surface of the 
earth. The powerful fore leg, armed Avith enormous claws; the cuneiform head; the face deprived of hair; 
the minute and sunken eye; the entire absence of external ear; the strong and muscular neck and shoulder; 
the comparative diminution of the posterior extremities, whereby the bulk of the hinder parts is lessened; 
the naked abdomen ; all unite to characterize it pre-eminently as a digger. And in fact, among the 
populations of its native regions it is said that it seeks its choicest food in the cemeteries, and such is its 
dexterity in tearing open the graves of the dead, that no tomb is sacred from its attacks. The latter part of 
this account is probably in some degree overstated; but it has at all events in those parts obtained the 
appellation of the Gravedigger. The generic name of Storr, Mellicora, although it may suit the African species 
is consequently peculiarly inappropriate in reference to this.” 
The Indian Ratel is stated by General IlardAvieke to be found on the high banks of the Ganges and 
Jumna, in the upper provinces. Mr. Hodgson records its occurrence likeAvise in the lower hill-region of 
Nepal. For the living examples of the species noAV in the collection, from Avhich Mr. Wolf’s figures are taken, 
the Society have to thank the liberality of one of their Corresponding Members, Mr. Arthur Grote, of 
Alipore, Calcutta. 
A specimen of a third species of Ratel (M. leuconota*) from Western Africa, distinguished by its 
smaller size and Arholly \Adiite back has recently been added to the Society’s collection. 
•Described and figured Proc. Zool. Soc., 1867, p. 98, pi. vii. 
