Information respecting Botanical Ti^avellers, 433 



rows, worried by the dog, it at last expired ; but I have seldom seen 

 such tenacity of life evinced as in this small animal. 



Naturalists differ whether Nasua fusca and rufa are distinct in 

 species or mere variations in colour. I must confess that I have seen 

 every variety of shade in the brown species, and a change in the co- 

 lour of the fur takes place at the setting in of the rainy season in 

 May, when they are generally darker. Nevertheless the Indians 

 have told me of a black species, which they say is to be found in the 

 land of the Waccawai Indians, who inhabit the banks of the Maza- 

 rung. I have never had the fortune to meet with it ; however I pos- 

 sess the following note from Mr. Vieth, who, as already observed, 

 accompanied me during my late expeditions : — 



" I have seen only one specimen, which was brought by Macusis, 

 who came from the Essequibo by land over to the Demerara river. 

 It was a size larger than the largest brown coati I have seen, and of 

 a shining black, with the exception of the tail, which was ringed 

 with white. In its habits and proportions it resembled exactly the 

 brown coati." 



The geographical range of the Nasua fusca extends over Guiana, 

 and is to be met with as well at the coast regions as at the plains of 

 the interior ; and since we know that it inhabits Brazil likewise, its 

 distribution appears of great extent. 



Although the Racoon is not an animal which inhabits the savan- 

 nahs*, its relation to the preceding genus induces me to give now 

 the few particulars which I know about its habits. It frequents the 

 sea coast, and is generally found in the neighbourhood of inhabited 

 spots, where it is destructive to poultry. It is about 2 feet long and 

 9 inches high ; the head is large, snout full and thick, the ears 

 of a moderate length ; the nose is rather short, and more pointed 

 than that of a fox ; indeed its head reminds me of that of the hyaena. 

 The fore feet are shorter than the hinder, the five claws sharp, strong, 

 and with them and its teeth, which resemble those of a dog, it makes 

 a vigorous resistance or attacks its prey with success. Its hair is 

 long and shaggy, but very short upon the legs from the knee down- 

 wards ; the colour of its fur is a light brown, the legs black, the tail 

 thick, tapering towards a point and marked with black rings. 



Among the favourite haunts of these animals are the thickets of 

 Curida bushes {Avicennia tomentosa), which extend along the sea 

 coast, where they feed upon crabs which they are expert in killing, 



* It appears entirely local to the sea coast ; the Macusi Indians do not 

 know the animal. The Warrans from the Corentyn call it Oghia. 



Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.4. No. 27. SuppL Feb, 184:0. 2i 



