482 PROCYONID., PROCYONINZE. BASSARISCUS. 
north into Mexico), the less familiar Cacamistl or Raccoon-foxes of 
the Pacific coast, and the Pottos or Kinkajous. All these are arboreal 
in their habits, for although they are very much at home upon the 
ground, they pass the larger portion of their time amid the branches, 
and make their nests, and bring forth their young in a hollow portion 
ofatree. The PRocyonip& is not a large family, containing, at pres- 
ent, only a little over twenty-five species and races, of which about ten 
belong to the Raccoons and their allies, six to the Coatis, four to the 
Raccoon-foxes, and nine to the Kinkajous. They are all long-tailed 
animals, the majority having this member annulated in colors of 
strong contrast. 
Fam. V. Proeyonidze. Raccoons, Coatis, 
Kinkajous, ete. 
Head broad behind, tapering rapidly forward to a narrow muzzle, 
which is sometimes elongate; ears moderate; feet plantigrade; soles 
naked, skin papillose; toes free, capable of being widely spread; 
claws curved, acute, non-retractile; tail moderately long, semi- 
bushy, generally annulated; body rather stout; legs moderately long. 
Subfam. Procyonine. 
American species have the alisphenoid canal wanting in the skull. 
> 
The handsome animals belonging to the first genus of the Family 
are found in the United States on the Pacific Coast from Oregon 
to Mexico, and also in various parts of the latter country, and are 
remarkable for the beauty of their tails, which are bushy and broadly , 
ringed in black and white. In their structure the Raccoon-foxes are 
apparently allied to several families, and they have been assigned to 
various ones by different systematists, but now are generally placed 
with Raccoons and other members of the Procyonide. They live on 
small birds and mammals, insects, etc., make a moss-lined nest in 
the hollow of some tree, and have four young. The Raccoon-fox is 
easily tamed, and makes a pleasing. pet, and as it is a good ratter, 
will soon clear a house of rats and mice. In appearance, with its 
short head, pointed muzzle, and projecting ears, it resembles the Fox, 
and in the loose pelage and ringed tail, the Raccoon. 
91. Bassarisecus. Cacamistl Raccoon-foxes. 
1 
I—1 4-4 2—2 
Bassariscus Coues, Science, 1887, p. 516. Type Bassaris astuta 
Lichtenstien. 
