Reviews and Ex tracts. 
SO 
of nearly equal leng-th, but are much shorter, and pro{)ortionally, much less pow¬ 
erful, than those of the anterior members j the total length of the animal is about 
three feet, of which its tail forms more than one-sixth ; its height does not exceed 
tenor twelve inches; and the length of its fore claws, when not worn down by 
constant use, is about an inch and a half. 
With respect to the habits of these animals, we shall give an abstract of Sparr- 
man’s version of the relation of the Hottentots and of the Dutch Colonists, which 
has been adopted by all subsequent writers. The bees, according to our author, 
furnish the Rate! 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 Ratel is endowed with peculiar sagacity 
for discovering their nests, which it undermines with its powerful claws, in order 
to feast upon the honey contained in them. Aware that sunset is the period at 
which the bees return to their homes, it chooses that time for making its observa¬ 
tions, 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 per¬ 
ceives a number of bees dying in the same direction; these it carefully marks 
and follows in their track, until it has safely lodged them in their nest, which it 
immediately commences pillaging. But if it should happen, that, contrary to 
their usual custom, they have built in the hollow of a tree, the Ratel, being un¬ 
able to climb, and angry at his disappointment, wreaks his vengeance upon the 
senseless stock, by biting round it; and the Hottentots know well that such marks 
on the trunk of a tree, arc certain indications of a bees’ nest being contained 
within it. 
It is added that the Ratel, as well as the native inhabitants of the Cape of Good 
Hope, is sometimes guided in this search after honej, by a little bird, the Oucu- 
liis Indicator, or Honey Cuckoo, which it seems, has sagacity enough to know, 
that both men and beasts are fond of the tempting spoil. This little creature, al¬ 
though incapable of storming a hive in its own person, takes advantage of the 
propensity in otherf*, who are better fitted for the task, and invites the Hottentot or 
Ratel to follow it, by a peculiar note which they both equally understand. Hav¬ 
ing thus secured their attention, it flies slowly on before them, alternately halting 
for them to come up with it, and then taking another flight; still admonishing 
them by its warning voice, until it arrives at the spot where the hidden treasure is 
deposited, then it suddenly ceases to be heard, but remains quietly perched on a 
tree in the vicinity, waiting for a share of the plunder, which it usually receives 
as a reward for its interested service. 
In such an attack upon an angry sw-arm, the toughness of the Ratel’s hide must 
be an effectual defence ; and it is even stated, that so difficult is it to penetrate 
its skin, that a pack of dogs which would be sufficient to despatch a moderate 
sized lion, have sometimes failed in their attack upon so comparatively insignificant 
an animal. Such is its tenacity of life, that Mr. Barrow states, “ it is a species 
of amusement for the farmers, to run knives through different parts of its body, 
without being able for a length of time to deprive it of existence.” Major Den¬ 
ham however, was informed by the natives of Central Africa, that a single blow 
on the nose, was sufficient to destroy it almost instantaneously : in the same regions 
it has obtained credit for so much ferocity, as to b« said at certain seasons, to ven- 
t\ire singly to attack a man 
