45 
is as in allied species, the center having a large reservoir lined with 
a brownish membrane, as in other carnivores. 
“The Sub-caudal Glands and Pouch.—In front of the insertion of the 
muscular band, which attaches the rectum to the sacro-cocygeal bones, 
is a deeply bilobate mass, really a single gland, having but one recepta- 
cle for the follicular secretion. This large, central pouch is abundantly 
provided throughout its surface with short, stiff, brownish hairs. This 
sac is distended with a yellowish, fetid substance, mixed with numerous 
hairs, like the viverreum of the Civet; this pouch is continuous, with 
the pocket-opening under the tail, being, indeed, part of one and the 
same cavity. Inthe possession of the central cavity clothed with hairs, 
and the bilobation of the gland, the sub-caudal glands are analogous to the 
scent-bags of the Civet; but in the Badgers the gland is always between 
the tail and the anus, and not between the genitalia and the anus, as in 
the Viverra. They differ, moreover, in the nature of the secretion, and, 
to a certain extent, in histological structure.” 
Habits—The Badger lives altogether in burrows in the ground. The 
continued excavation of the earth by these animals, in search of food, 
and in forming its burrows, undermines and honeycombs the ground so 
completely, in many regions, as to form the chief obstacle to progression 
by wagons or on horseback. 
Its whole structure adapts it to a subterranean life, which it follows 
. 80 closely and secretively that many points in its economy are not yet 
fully known; others are inferred rather than proved. One may travel 
for weeks in the Badger country and rarely see one, or at the best catch 
a glance as they scramble into the nearest hole. 
The Badger has few enemies, and, as a consequence, is very abundant. 
They are stout enough to ward off Wolves and Foxes. No indiginous 
animal is known to prey habitually upon them. Their immunity from 
danger, dependent on their physical prowess, impregnable nature of» 
their retreats, and abundance of their food insures the perpetuation of 
the species in all. unsettled portions of their range. They prey upon 
small quadrupeds for their stapte diet; the nimble Rodents are driven 
to their retreats, which the Badger quickly enlarges and enters, following 
their unfortunate tenants to the deepest recesses. They also eat insects, 
snails, and the eggs of the numerous small birds which nest upon the 
ground in prairie regions. It may, like the Huropean Badger, prey upon 
the stores of the wild bees, eating honey, wax and grubs; this habit, 
however, of our Badgers needs confirmation. 
With regard to its character and disposition, I transcribe the follow- 
ing from Dr. Coues: “The Badger has been called a ‘timid’ animal. 
