A gilder's tip is a small brush composed of a single line of badger hairs fastened between a cardboard handle, and used to pick up gold leaf from the cushion and transfer it to the surface being gilded. Research Gilder's Tip
The badger (Meles taxus or Meles vulgaris) or brock is an omnivorous mammal of the family Mustelidae, allied both to the bears and to the weasels, of a clumsy make, with short thick legs, and long claws on the fore-feet. found in England and Europe. It is a nocturnalanimal about 90 centimetres in length with a pointed nose and of a blackish-grey colour with white markings over its head. The badger has a very thick tough hide, and long coarse hair, it is indolent and sleepy, feeds by night on vegetables, small quadrupeds, etc. Its flesh may be eaten, and its hair is used for artists' brushes in painting and for quality shaving brushes. The American badger belongs to a separate genus. Research Badger
The Dachshund, Teckel or badger dog is a small German dog originally bred for badgerhunting in the Middle Ages. The body is extraordinarily long, the ears pendulous and the legs very short. Dachshunds are very affectionate and courageous animals. Research Dachshund
Dasyure or Dasyurus are the brush-tailed opossums, a genus of plantigrade marsupials found in Australia and Tasmania. They are so named in contrast to the opossums of the New World (Didelphys), which have naked tails somewhat like rats. The ursine dasyure (Dasyurus ursinus) of Tasmania is about the size of a badger, but of a sturdier form, of a dull black colour, carnivorous, and of so savage a temper as to have gained for itself the alternative name of Diabolus ursinus, or Tasmanian Devil. Formerly it was most destructive to flocks and poultry-yards, but by the start of the 20th century it was nearly extirpated in inhabited districts. The various species of the genus have much the same nature and habits as the European polecat. Research Dasyure
The fox (once popularly known as a Russel) is an animal of the genus Vulpes closely allied to the dog and found throughout the northern hemisphere. Foxes have a straight bushy tail, elongated pupils and erect ears. Foxes are intelligent (frequently described as sly), adaptable and omnivorous, consuming small animals, eggs, honey and refuse, feeding mainly at night.
The common fox (Vulpes canis) is a reddish-brown colour with white beneath.
Foxes often live in a burrow formerly occupied by a rabbit or badger, which they adapt for their own liking. Some varieties of fox, mainly the silver and black varieties, are prized for their fur. Research Fox
The glutton also known as the Wolverene or Wolverine (Gulo arcticus) is a carnivorousquadruped, about the size of a large badger, and intermediate between the bear family and the weasels. It inhabits northern Europe and America. The glutton is slow and clumsy, but persevering, cunning, fierce, and of great strength. It prefers putrid flesh, and has an extremely fetid odour. The fur was formerly much sought after, that from Siberia being preferred from its being of a glossy black. The animal receives its name from its voracity, which, however, has been greatly exaggerated. Research Glutton
The hyrax is a genus of pachydermatous mammalia, intermediate in their character between the rhinoceros and the tapir. It is the only genus of the order Hyracoidea, characterized by having no canine teeth, but long curved incisors. The front feet have four toes, and the hind feet three. The Cape hyrax was called by the colonists of South Africa the Rock-badger or Rock--rabbit. Research Hyrax
The Jacob is a British breed of sheep. Slight of build, with the narrow, lean carcass typical of some of the ancient British breeds, they are immediately noticeable due to their black and white fleeces and prominent horns. Both males and females are horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns. Most striking to many people are four-horned rams with two vertical centre horns as much as two feet long, and two side horns curling down along the side of the head. Two-horned rams develop the more familiar classic double curl. Horns on the ewe are always shorter and more delicate than the rams' horns.
The Jacob fleece, which is properly described as white with black spots, is prized by hand spinners and weavers. The white and the black wool, which may fade at the tips to dark brown, may be blended to various shades of greys. The wool is of medium grade, and interestingly, the black wool, which grows out of black skin, frequently is shorter than the white wool, which grows from white skin. Ideally, the animal should be 40% black and 60% white, with certain characteristic patterns. The legs should be predominantly white, with black hooves and black knees and hocks desirable. The desired Jacob face is frequently referred to as 'badger faced' , with black cheeks and muzzle, but a white blaze down the front of the face. The nose should be black as well as the horns and ears.
The ratel or honey-badger is a carnivorousquadruped of the genus Mellivora, and of the badger family. It is found in south and east Africa and India. The South African or Cape ratel (Mellivora ratel) averages about one metre in length including an eight or nine inch tail. Research Ratel
The teledu (Mydaus meliceps) or stinking badger is a carnivore allied to the badger found in Java and Sumatra. It is noted for the very offensive odour that it emits, somewhat resembling that of a skunk. It has long, silky fur. Research Teledu
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Gilder's Tip
