56 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



Variety, A. Fawn-coloured raccoon. 



B. Brown-throat raccoon. 



C. White raccoon. 



Habit. More active than the bear, but still 

 having the awkward gait of the plantigrade ani- 

 mals; supporting themselves with ease on their 

 hind feet, and holding their food with the fore 

 feet; constantly plunging the food in water, and 

 rolling it between the hands before eating ; noc- 

 turnal ; feeding on roots, fruits, insects, birds, &c. 



Inhabit North America, Mexico, West Indies. 



In the United States they are found as far north 

 as Lake Ontario. 



Genus. 



Taxiis, Linn. Geoff. 



Meles, Briss. Storr. Bodd. Cuv. Illig. 



Urstis, Linn. Erxleb. 



CHAHACTERS. 



r Incisor 6. 

 r superior 16. < Canine 2. 



Dental formula-Teeth 36 J ^ f^'^^l ^^ 



V. inferior 20. < Canine 2. 

 C. Molar 12. 



Second incisor on each side of the lower jaw, 

 placed a little farther back than the others ; ca- 

 nines strong; superior molars form an uninter- 

 rupted series : the first linear and small, the se- 

 cond and third flattened laterally, and having a 

 single sharp point; the penultimate triangular; the 

 last very large and broad. 



