152 CARNIYORA. 



RACOON. 



Procyon lotor. 

 French : Marmotte. German : Waschbar or Schuppe. 



The Eacoon, or Eaccoon, is a well-known animal, 

 inhabiting the United States and part of the province of 

 British Colmnbia. 



It is rarely taken by Hudson's Bay traders, except in 

 the latter district, although it was a leading article of 

 commerce in the time of the North-west Company, with 

 which the Hudson's Bay Company was ultimately 

 amalgamated. 



It is difficult to account for the French name of 

 Marmot, which the early settlers or trappers gave to the 

 Racoon, unless it is due to the similarity in colour. The 

 German name of Wash-bear is more appropriate, as it 

 washes its food in water before devouring it. 



The best furred skins come from Wisconsin and 

 Illinois, and almost equally good from Michigan. Nova 

 Scotia also produces a few well-furred skins. Those 

 from California and British Columbia are coarse, and 

 covered with short fur of deep and bright colour. 

 Missouri and the Western States produce skins of 

 medium quality. Among the latter grade may be 

 reckoned those from New Madrid, where a great part 

 of the Eacoon skins are collected. These pelts are 

 square-handled. 



Kentucky, Arkansas, and other Southern skins aro 

 coarse, and of low value, but the worst of all are the 

 Mexican. 



The Racoon is about 2 to 3 feet in length, without the 



