MAMMALIA. 483 



The genus Amphiarctos is nearly allied to tlie bears, from wliicli it differs 

 by the structure of the jaws, in which there is one tooth less. Only one 

 species is known from the Sivalic Mountains. 



Fam. 2. Procyonid^e. United by some with the preceding, this family 

 is composed of animals generally smaller than the bears. They have the 

 general appearance of the latter in miniature, but are provided with a long 

 tail, which bears have not. 



The genus Pxocyon (racoon) has a short and triangular head, which gives 

 to it a fox-like appearance. The snout is tapering, and projects consider- 

 ably beyond the mouth. The ears are small. The tail long and bushy, 

 not prehensile. The feet are five-toed, armed with large and strong nails. 

 There is a glandular pouch on each side of the vent. The habits are noc- 

 turnal. In eastern North America but one species of this genus is found, 

 the racoon {P. lotor), more common in the middle and southern States than 

 ^n the northern. It is a restless, mischievous animal, feeding on wild and 

 domesticated fowls, frogs, lizards, fish, and i»sects ; it is very fond of oysters. 

 Most usually found in low wooded swamps. A second species is found in 

 California. 



The remains of an extinct species of racoon were found in Illinois. 



The genus Ailurus (panda) includes a racoon-like species from tropical 

 Asia. 



The genus Ictkles or Arditis (benturong) is also composed of East Indian 

 species related to the racoon by their teeth. Their body is covered with 

 long hair, and there is a tuft to each ear. The tail is long, hairj^, and has a 

 propensity to curl, as if prehensile. 



The genus Nasua (coati) belongs to the tropical zone of America. It con- 

 tains six species, remarkable for their long and flexible snout, by which they 

 are at once distinguished from the racoons. The feet are semipalmated, 

 notwithstanding which they climb trees. Their long claws are used for 

 digging. The brown coati (i\^. rufa) is represented in 2^^- 112, yi^*. 15. A 

 fossil species of this genus occurs in the caverns of Brazil. Another is found 

 in the south of Europe. 



The genus Meles (badger) is provided with rather large and strong canines. 

 Two of the upper molars are deciduous and fall off when the animal is still 

 very young, so that four only are left in the adult. The nose is somewhat 

 elongated and obtuse at the point ; the ears are short and round ; the eyes 

 small ; the legs short. There are transverse glandular follicles between the 

 anus and the base of the tail which discharge a fetid odor. 



The American badger {M. labradorica) belongs to this genus. The Euro- 

 pean badger (J7i vulgaris) is figured on pi. 116, fig. 2. 



Three fossil species of this genus are on record as having been found in 

 the old continent. 



The extinct genus Trochichis is intermediate between Meles and Gido. It 

 is composed of a single species which inhabited Switzerland during the 

 tertiary epoch. 



The genus Gulo (glutton) has a head of moderate length, an elongated 

 body supporting short legs, a bushy tail, feet with five deeply divided toe^ 



687 



