58 OPOSSUM TRIBE. 



and graceful security, even among the extremest branches. 

 The Racoons descend into cultivated grounds, for the 

 purpose of feeding on maize, sugar-canes, and fruit. 

 In the sugar-plantations they are said sometimes to do 

 more damage in one night, than can be repaired in a 

 month ; and the planters have, to little purpose, tried 

 every method in their power to destroy them. But so 

 delicate are their sensations of smell and touch, and so 

 tenacious is their memory, that they avoid all kinds of 

 snares which are set to catch them. They occasionally 

 devour small birds and their eggs ; and feed with great 

 avidity on shell-fish, particularly on oysters. They are 

 easily tamed, in which state they are good-natured, 

 sportive, and cleanly, but nearly as inquisitive and mis- 

 chievous as monkeys. They sit upright on their hind 

 feet, and carry the food to their mouth in their paws. 

 Whenever they have opportunity, they always dip their 

 food into water before they eat it. They are chiefly 

 active during the night. 



The Racoon is about the size of a small dog. The 

 colour of the upper parts of the body is grey. The head 

 is dusky ; and the nose sharp, like that of a fox. The 

 face is white ; and the eyes are surrounded with a black 

 band, from which a dusky stripe runs along the nose. The 

 tail is long, bushy, and marked with several black rings. 

 The back is somewhat arched, and the fore legs are 

 shorter than the others. 



18. OPOSSUM TRIBE. 



It is chiefly in hot climates that the animals of the 

 present tribe are found. They frequent only the 

 wooded parts of the countries. The females are re- 

 markable for having, on their belly, a pouch, opening 



