MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 139 
The variation in the number of molars and premolars in re- 
lated genera is as follows: 
4—4 2—2 
Ailuropus : p m. —, m. —, = 42. 
2 3-3 2-2 
Ailurus: pm. —, m. — = 38. 
: fh =2 
~ 
3—3 —2 
Arctictis, Cercoleptes: p m. par rare 36. 
= 
w 
2 
9 
p 44 22 
Procyon, Nasua, Bassaris: p m.—, m. — = 40. 
ap -o8 
The Ursine agree with the Ailwropus in the number of teeth. 
The head is broad and depressed, the muzzle being pointed 
and the nose produced. The ears are moderate, rounded, not 
pointed avove. The feet are all five-toed and the toes are dis- 
tinct. The impression made by the hind foot when the heelis 
applied to the ground, as is not always done in walking, is al- 
most exactly like that of a human infant. There are no pads 
or callosities. The tail is longer than one-half the body and 
covered with long hairs. The Raccoons always have dark 
marks about the face, and bands encircling the tail. The three 
known species are confined to America; they are P. lotor, in- 
habiting the Eastern United States westward to Texas, Wyo- 
ming, etc.; P. hernandezii, occupying the western coast of the 
United States, Mexico and Central America; and P. cancrivorus 
from South America. Other species have been described, but 
seem not to be valid. The three species are so similar that the 
anatomical characters of P. Jotor may be considered of generic 
application. 
Procyon lotor Linn. 
RACCOON. 
Ursus lotor, older writers. 
Procyon lotor, StoRR and later authors. 
About the size and nearly the general color of the badger. 
Head broad and depressed, the muzzle being acute; ears large, 
rounded above, hairy. General color grayish white or yellow- 
ish brown. An oblique dark patch on the cheeks. Tail bushy 
with four or five dark rings. Entire length over thirty-two 
inches, the tail being one-third. 
Generally distributed in the United States east of the Rocky 
Mountains. 
The raccoon ranges over the entire wooded parts of our 
state and is well known for its depredations upon the farmer 
