306 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



than its colour. It is altogether black, and sel- 

 dom grows to so large a size, as the former. It 

 seems to be of a distinct species ; is as fierce 

 ;ind ravenous as the other kind. These animals 

 are frequently found in the woods ; very wild, 

 extremely fiei'ce in combat, of great activity and 

 strength ; but never can be tamed, or made to 

 associate with our common cats. They are 

 valuable only on account of their furs. The 

 black cat was called by the Indians, the JFool- 

 laneeg : The largest of which I have any ac- 

 count, weighed twenty three pounds. 



Another animal which does not greatly dif- 

 fer in appearance from a Mild cat, has been cal- 

 led the JFoIvcrine. The body of this animal is 

 about two feet and an half in length. It has a 

 short tail, and is of the same colour as the wolf. 

 This animal is of a very fierce, and caniivorous 

 disposition. Concealing himself ajiiong the 

 rocks and bushes, or taking a station upon the 

 limb of a tree, he watches for the approach of 

 prey. If the deer, or the moose comes within 

 his reach, he daits upon their backs, fastens up- 

 on their neck, and with great dexterity opens 

 their jugular vein with his teeth. This animal 

 is scarce, and not to be found but in the nor- 

 thern, and most uncultivated parts of the state. 

 I have no account of its fecundity, magnitude, 

 or other particulars. 



The Racoon, in its shape or general form> 

 resembles the fox, but has a larger body, with 

 thicker and shorter legs. The lect have five 

 long and slender toes, armed \\'ith sharp claws. 

 The males ha\'e generally a large whitish stripe, 

 and the females a ^mailer one, v/hich runs across 



