CARNIVORA: URSIM:. 



39 



American Badger, T. americana, Waterh. 



nair is long, espe- 

 cially on the hind 

 part of the body, 

 whence it extends 

 so far towards the 

 extremity of the 

 tail as almost to 

 conceal the latter ; 

 and the ears ap- 

 pear as if they had 

 been clipped. The 

 Mexican Badger, T. Berlandieri, Baird, is a closely related 

 species. Badgers live in burrows, and dig with astonish- 

 ing rapidity. 



URSID.E, OR BEAR FAMILY. This Family comprises 

 the true plantigrade carnivora, those which walk on 

 the whole sole of the foot. They are five-toed, and the 

 toes are distinctly separate. Their teeth are the same 

 in number as those of the Dog Family, but the sectorial 

 teeth and the molars behind them are tuberculated. -They 

 have no ccecum. Though carnivorous, they feed more 

 or less upon vegetable food. Many of the species are 

 ready climbers. Those which inhabit cold climates pass 

 the winter in a torpid state. The Ursidae comprise the 

 Raccoons, Pandas, and Bears. 



The Genus Procyon Raccoons is characterized by 

 a stout body, pointed muzzle, and moderately long tail. 



The Common Rac- 

 coon, P. lotor, Storr., 

 of the United States, 

 is less than two feet 

 long to the tail, which 

 is about a foot ; the gen- 

 eral color light gray, 



tinged With pale rUSty common Raccoon, P. lotor, Storr. 



Fig. 37- 



