The Raccoon, 253 



ARTICLE XLI. — Natural History of the Raccoon,{ProcyonLotor.) 



GENUS PROCYON.— Stork. 



Dental Formula. 



Incisive ^] Canine j- — \\ Molar | — f=40. 



Generic Characters. — "Muzzle pointed and projecting beyond 

 the lower jaw ; ears short and oval ; tail bushy^ and long ; feet 

 five toed, with strong nails not retractile ; soles of feet (posterior) 

 naked; the species rest on the heel, but walk on the toes. Mam- 

 mae, six ventral ; there is a gland on each side of the anus which 

 secretes a slightly offensive fluid. 



" The generic name is derived from the Greek pro, before, and 

 Icron^ a dog. 



" Two species only have been noticed, one in the northern and 

 the other in the southern parts of North America." The northern 

 species is that which occurs in Canada. 



Procyon Lotor. — Linn, 



Specific Characters. — " Body above grayish^mixed with black ; 

 ears^ and beneath, whitish; a black patch across the eye; tail^ 

 with four or five annulations of black and gray.'''' 



The body of the Raccoon is rather stout, the legs of moderate 

 length, and the appearance of the animal would indicate that 

 , although he is not intended for great speed, he is still by his com- 

 pact and well organized structure, his strong rausculous limbs and 

 short and stout claws, capable of a tolerably rapid race, and is 

 Able to climb, although not with the agility of the squirrel stiU 

 with greater alacrity than his near relative the bear. 



" His head is rather round ; nose tapering, sharp, and snout 

 moveable ; point of nose naked ; eyes round, and of moderate 

 size; moustaches few, very rigid, resembling bristles, extending to 

 the chin ; ears low, erect, elliptical, with their tips much rounded, 

 clothed with hair on both sides ; on the inner surface the hairs are 

 longer and less dense; tail of moderate length and bushy. In its 

 feet the Raccoon is partially plantigrade ; hence it was classed by 

 LiNN.EUs among the bears, under the genus Ursus ; soles of feet 

 naked. When it sits, it often brings the whole hind sole to the 

 ground, resting in the manner of the bears. The canine teeth are 



