This animal is a native of Europe, but is known to live in warm countries. It is found, without any variety, in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Britain, Poland, and Sweden. The usual length of the Badger is somewhat above two feet, and the tail is about six inches long; its eyes are small, and are placed in a black stripe which begins behind the ears, and runs towards the nose; the throat and legs are black; the back, sides, and tail, are of a dirty grey, mixed with black; the legs and feet are very short, strong, and thick; each foot has five toes; those on the fore feet are armed with strong claws, well adapted for digging. Although furnished with powerful weapons of offence, and having besides strength to use them with great effect, it is very harmless and inoffensive; and unless attacked, employs them only for its support. The Badger retires to the most secret places, where it digs its hole, and forms its dwelling under ground. Its food consists chiefly of roots, fruits, grass, insects, and frogs. Few creatures defend themselves better, or bite with greater keenness, than the Badger. On that account it has been often baited with dogs trained for the purpose; but, happily, little is now heard of this very cruel sport. The Badger is a very sleepy animal. It keeps its hole during the day, and feeds only in the night. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE FOX. [Illustration: THE FOX. ] The Fox is a native of almost every quarter of the globe; and is of so wild and savage a nature that it is said to be impossible fully to tame him: when partially so, he is very playful; but will on the least offence, bite those with whom he is most familiar. He possesses more cunning than any other beast of prey. This quality he shows in his mode of providing for himself a place of security, where he retires from pressing dangers, and brings up his young; and his craftiness is also discovered by his schemes to catch lambs, geese, hens, and all kinds of small birds. When he can conveniently do so, the Fox fixes his abode on the border of a wood, in the neighbourhood of some farm or village. He listens to the crowing of the cocks, or the cries of the poultry. He scents them at a distance; he chooses his time with judgment; and conceals his road, as well as his design. He slips forward with caution, sometimes even trailing his body; and seldom misses his booty. If he can leap the wall, or creep in beneath the gate, he ravages the court-yard, puts all to death, and retires with his prey. He hunts the young hares in the plains; and seizes the old ones in their seats. The eye of the Fox is of a lively hazel colour, and very expressive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE WOLF.