The Raccoon. 257 



There exists a species of oyster in the Southein States, of infe- 

 rior quahty, which bears the name of Raccoon Oyster : it lies im- 

 bedded in masses in the shallow waters of the rivers. These 

 oysters are covered by high tide=5, but are exposed at low water. 

 On these the Raccoons are fond of feeding, and we have on sev- 

 eral occasions seen them on the oyster banks. We have, however, 

 never had an opportunity of ascertaining by personal observation 

 the accuracy of a statement which vre have frequently heard made 

 with great confidence, viz., that the Raccoon, at low tide, in endea- 

 vouring to extricate these oysters from the shell, is occasionally 

 caught by the foot in consequence of the closing of the valve of the 

 shell fish, when numbers of these being clustered and imbedded 

 together, the Raccoon cannot drag them from their bed, and the 

 returnino- tide drowns him. 



The Naturalist has many difficulties to encounter when inquiring 

 into facts connected with his pursuit : every one acquainted with 

 the habits of even our common species must know that the infor- 

 mation gained from most of those who reside near their localities, 

 from their want of particular observation, is generally very limited, 

 and probably the most interesting knowledge gained by such que- 

 ries would be the result of a comparison of the accounts given at 

 different places. From the Alleghany Mountains, the swamps of 

 Louisiana, and the marshes of Carolina, we have received nearly 

 the same history of the cunning manoeuvres and sly tricks of the 

 Raccoon in procuring food. 



We add the following notes on a Raccoon kept for a considera- 

 ble time in a tame state, or partially domesticated : 



When it first came into our possession it was about one-third 

 grown. By kind treatment it soon became very docile, but from 

 its well known mischievous propensities we always kept it chained- 



It was truly omnivorous, never refusing any thing eatable; 

 vegetable or animal, cooked or uncooked, all was devoured with 

 equal avidity. Of some articles, however, it seemed particularly 

 fond, as sugar, honey, chestnuts, fish and poultry. The animal 

 would become almost frantic w^hen either of the two first was 

 placed near it, but beyond its reach. No means would be left 

 untried to obtain the dainty morsel. It would rush forward as far 

 as the chain permitted, and stretch out a fore-paw toward the ob- 

 ject of its wishes to its utmost extent, which failing to reach it, 

 the other was extended ; again disappointed, the hind limbs were 

 tried in succession, by which there was a nearer approach to the 

 food, on account of the animal being chained by the neck. 



