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KACOON.— /'roVyo// /^/or. 



The Racoon is an iii]m))itant of Northern America, where it is found in great 

 nmnbers. 



In its native state it is a p-eat devonrer of oystei-s, cral)s, and otlicr similar 

 animals, displaying sintridar ingennity in opening the stubborn shells of the 

 oysters, or in dispatching the crabs without slithering from their ready claws. 

 Sometimes it is said to fall a victim to the oyster, and to be held so tinnly by the 

 closing shells that it cannot extricate itself, and j)erishes miserably by the rising 

 tide. As is indicated by the nature of its teeth, the Racoon is ca])al)lc of feeding 

 on animal or vegetable food, but seems to ])refer the latter. Indeed there seem to 

 be few things which the Raco<m will not eat. One of these animals ate a piece of 

 cedar pencil which it snatched out of my hand, and tried very hard to eat the 

 envelope of a letter on which I was making notes. 



It is also fond of water, drinking largely, and immersing its food, so as to 

 moisten it as much as possible. When engaged in this curious custom it grasps 

 the food in both its forepaws, aTid shakes it violently backward and forward in the 

 water. On account of this remarkable habit it has Ijccn dignijicd with the 

 title of Lotor, a washer. The German naturalists temi it Wasch-Rar, or 

 Washing-Rear. 



