1897.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 219 



every hunter with whom I have communicated; and many men of 

 middle age, who have had twenty years' experience in mountaineer- 

 ing, never saw the track of one where they were formerly numerous, 

 while many other trappers had not even heard of such an animal. 



The elder Seth Nelson caught many of them in the beech woods of 

 Potter and Tioga Counties, between the years 1827 and 1845. 



Mr. Larrabee, of Emporium, Cameron County, declares there are 

 yet a few in Shippen Township. The tracks of one were seen, and 

 traps set to catch it, during the winter of 1895-96. 



A mounted specimen, taken in Pennsylvania, is in the Academy 

 of Natural Sciences. It has no more definite data, and was evidently 

 taken many years ago. 



On March 11, 1896, a fine male Pekan was shot by Christ. S. 

 Nunnemacher on the borders of a wood on Mill Creek, 2 miles north 

 of Bird-in-Hand,and about three miles east of Lancaster, Lancaster 

 County. Mill Creek rises in the Welsh Mountains. Tins animal 

 had been making depredations on the farmer's poultry in that vicin- 

 ity for some months, and was finally discovered by some dogs in 

 company with Nunnemacher. The animal was taken to Dr. M. W. 

 Raub, of Lancaster, to be mounted, and the stuffed specimen is now 

 in his possession. In a letter from Dr. Raub I have received full 

 confirmation of the above facts, and unmistakable evidence that the 

 animal was not a" Marten," as reported in the Lancaster newspapers 

 of that date. 



38. Mephitis mephitica (Shaw). Canadian Skunk. 



39. Mephitis mephitica elongata Bangs. Carolinian Skunk. 



Central Pennsylvania presents us with two forms of skunks, 

 neither of which are typical of the above species and subspecies as 

 defined by Mr. Bangs. 8 



In Clinton County Mr. Xelsou states that only about 1 in 20 are 

 black with a small white head spot. These are of double value as 

 fur. 



This animal is equally abundant at all elevations, in deciduous 

 forest growths. 



40. Procyon lotor (L.). Raccoon. 



Though not often seen, the Raccoon continues to exist in thickly 

 populated districts where forests continue to afford some shelter. 

 Although much sought after by trappers and hunters it holds its own 

 in all sparsely settled districts, both mountain and lowland. 



8 . Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Plist., 1895, pp. 1-7. 



