MAMMALS URSIDAE PROCYON LOTOR. 



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nape the subterminal annulus is rusty yellowish, and the basal light portion is wanting. On 

 the sides of the shoulder the hairs are whitish, with short dusky tip. The hair in the annuli 

 of the tail are nearly concolored throughout. The under fur is of a light sooty tinge, which is, 

 however, much darker on the hind legs. 



The preceding description may be considered as illustrating the average characteristics of the 

 raccoon as found in the eastern States, based on skins from Washington. There are some vari 

 ations in specimens which will be briefly noticed. Another from the same locality is consider 

 ably darker ; the tips of the long hairs being quite black and more extensively colored on the 

 sides of the body. On the side of the shoulders, on the contrary, they are entirely hoary white. 

 The alternating rings on the tail are larger and better defined ; there are only four well defined 

 dark ones, and an obscure basal fifth ; the terminal black tip is quite inconspicuous, and appears 

 as if enveloped by the succeeding whitish ring. The upper surface of the paws is dirty grayish. 



A third specimen, likewise from Washington, is much larger than the others, and the tail is 

 proportionally shorter. There is a preponderance of gray on the forehead, and the cheek patch 

 appears somewhat reduced. The paws are entirely of a dull whitish. 



Specimens from St. Simon's island, Georgia, exhibit much black on the back and sides. One 

 skin from North Carolina is entirely white, the tendency to albinism being greater in this than 

 in almost any other native animal. 



General dimensions. 



