5<D VERTEBRATES : MAMMALS. 



across the shoulders, and much overlaid with black-tipped 

 hairs. The under parts are of a similar gray, but without 

 the black tips ; and over the whole body the dull-sooty 

 under-fur shows through. The tail has five distinct black 

 rings, and a tip of the same color, the interspaces being 

 grayish-white. The end of the muzzle is whitish, and 

 there is a black patch upon the cheek and another be- 

 hind the ear. The Raccoon is nocturnal in its habits, 

 and feeds upon roots, birds, and other small animals. It 

 is easily tamed, and is said to dip its food in water before 



eating it. 



The California Raccoon, P. Hernandezii, Wagler, of 

 Western North America, is larger than P. lotor. 



The Genus Ailurus comprises the Shining Panda, A. 

 refulgcns, Fred. Cuv., of Northern India, of the size of 

 the common cat, the fur soft and thickly set, the color 

 above of the most brilliant cinnamon-red, behind more of 

 a fawn color, the head whitish, and the tail marked with 

 brown rings ; beneath black. Cuvier calls this the most 

 beautiful of known quadrupeds. 



The Genus Ursus Bears is characterized by a large, 

 thick, clumsy body, broad head, short tail, wholly planti- 

 grade feet, with naked soles and long nails. The dental 

 formula is, incisors ^, canines ^ premolars ti^ molars 

 ^. Four North American species have been described. 



The Grizzly Bear, U. horribilis, Ord., of the plains of 

 the Upper Missouri to California, is six to eight feet in 

 length, hair coarse, an erect mane between the shoulders, 

 and the color grizzly. The feet are very large, and the 

 fore claws are twice as long as the hind ones, and on the 

 largest individuals are six inches in length. This animal 

 is one of the most powerful and most ferocious of all the 

 Bear tribe. When excited by hunger or anger, it attacks 

 man or any animal it can overtake. Even the Bison 

 sometimes falls a victim to its ferocity, and is dragged 



