This animal, which burrows generally in the side of a hill, is to be found throughout Great Britain, but is particularly abundant in Scotland.

When attacked it emits a fetid odour, which appears to be the effect of fright, rather than as in- tended as a means of defence.

So intolerably offensive is this odour, that it has passed into a proverb, which is applied to any peculiarly disagreeable smell.

The colour of the coat is greyish brown, whence we say of a person whose hair begins to show signs of old age, that he is as grey as a badger.

Baiting the badger with dogs is still a common diversion ; and hence originates the phrase of badgering a person, ap- plied in cases where one is made the butt of mani.