42 



CARNIVORES. 



feet. The name of black-footed raccoon has, accordingly, been proposed for this 

 southern form. These raccoons are very common in certain districts, and appear 

 to agree closely in habits with their northern cousin. 



The Cacomistles. 

 Genus Bassaris. 



The cacomistles, of which the skull is shown on p. 35, are animals nearly 

 allied to the raccoons, but of more slender build, with a sharper muzzle, longer tail, 

 less perfectly plantigrade feet, and teeth of a more typically carnivorous type. 



The common cacomistle (Bassaris astuta), represented in the accompanying 

 illustration, is an inhabitant of the United States and Mexico. It is covered with 



THE CACOMISTLE (i nat. size) 



long and soft fur ; and has also well-developed and pointed ears, of which the outer 

 surfaces are nearly naked. The feet have naked pads, but are otherwise hairy ; 

 and their short claws are partially retractile. In size this animal may be compared 

 to a cat, the length of the head and body being about 17| inches, and that of the 

 tail (including the hair at the end) nearly the same. The general colour is 

 brownish-yellow mixed with grey on the upper-parts, and whitish below ; but the 

 tips of the ears, and' two pieces of spots above and below the eyes, are yellowish-white. 

 The bushy tail, which differs from that of the raccoons in being depressed instead 

 of cylindrical, has a black tip and seven or eight blackish-brown rings, separated 

 by white intervals. 



This animal dwells among rocks and trees ; and although, on account of its 

 purely nocturnal habits, but seldom seen, is far from uncommon in certain 

 localities. Like the raccoons it is easily tamed, and makes a pretty pet, being 

 sometimes kept for the purpose of killing rats and mice. It is, however, for its 

 size, a bold and ferocious animal, and is reported to be very destructive to poultry. 

 Cacomistles prefer woods well supplied with water, and make their nests in 



