RACOON. 57 



Glutton. The mode in which these most voracious 

 animals are said to lure and seize upon their prey is very 

 remarkable. They are stated to climb into trees, in the 

 neighbourhood of herds of deer, and, carrying along with 

 them a quantity of a kind of moss to which the deer are 

 partial, as soon as any one of them approaches their sta- 

 tion, they throw it down. But no sooner does the animal 

 begin to partake of it, than the Glutton drops upon its 

 back, and, in a short time, destroys it. This is not the 

 only food on which this creature subsists. He also 

 destroys hares, mice, birds, and even feeds on dead and 

 putrid carcasses ; and, it is stated, that, so long as a ves- 

 tige of any of these remain, he will not leave his prey. 

 When caught young, the Glutton may easily be tamed. 

 His fur is reckoned valuable. This animal is found in 

 all the countries, both of Europe and America, which 

 border upon the Northern Ocean ; and also in Poland 

 and Germany. 



It is about three feet in length, exclusive of the tail, 

 which is nearly a foot long. The body and tail are of 

 a glossy black, or dark brown colour, appearing watered 

 or damasked, like silk, with a tawny line down the middle 

 of the back. The legs are thick, short, and strong. The 

 head is round, and the nose blunt. The ears are short 

 and rounded, but somewhat pointed at the tip. The tail 

 is very full of hair. 



Racoon. This is a most active and sprightly animal, 

 yet all its motions are performed in a singularly 

 oblique manner. It inhabits the mountainous parts of 

 America, and of several of the West India Islands, 

 residing chiefly in hollow trees. Into these it ascends 

 with the greatest facility, and sports about in an easy 



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