154 CARNIVORA. 



When clipped, the skins are sometimes used for 

 glove-tops. When pulled, i.e., with the long hair 

 removed, they are used as imitation Beaver. The heads 

 are often used for ornamenting foot-muffs, and the tails 

 for making rugs, mats, and boas. This fur is also used 

 for the busbies of the Volunteer Artillery. About 

 500,000 are sold annually in London ; 549,180 Avere 

 sold in 1891. 



The Eacoon is only partly carnivorous, and is 

 extremely fond of Indian corn. Its flesh is said to be 

 good eating. 



It has six teats, and probably produces from four to 

 six young. It is said to climb trees with facility. It 

 appears sometimes to interbreed with the American 

 Opossum. An allied species is met with in Honduras. 



In an old work entitled " America," this animal is 

 thus described: — "The Eackoone is a deep Furr'd 

 Beast, not much unlike a Badger, having a Tail like a 

 Fox, as good Meat as a Lamb. These Beasts in the day 

 time sleep in hollow Trees, in a Moon- shine night they 

 go to feed on Clams at a low Tide, by the Sea side, 

 where the English hunt them with their Dogs." 



Dr. Mivart, in the " Proceedings of the Zoological 

 Society" (1885, page 347), quoting Dr. Clinton Hart 

 Merriam, says : — ■" The Eaccoons do not like the dense 

 evergreen forests but more open woods ; they are the 

 most strictly nocturnal of all mammals, except Bats 

 and Flying Squirrels, and yet they may sometimes be 

 seen abroad on cloudy days. They are very expert in 

 breaking down the stalks of corn, and stripping the 

 husks from the ear, using their fore-paws as we do our 

 hands. Though very sly, they are caught in traps. 

 They are not swift runners, and if pursued take to a 

 tree, when they may be readily killed. Though capable 



