114 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



are frequently seen in the most densely-settled parts of tlie 

 country. 



Tho red fox ( Vulpes fulviis macrourus) is found north of 

 latitude 37° ; the gray fox ( Vulpes virginianus) in all the tim- 

 bered parts of the state. The coast fox ( Vulpes littoralls) is 

 found only on the island of San Miguel, off the coast of Santa 

 Barbara. In its color it bears a great resemblance to the gray 

 fox, but it is not more than half as large, is less cunning, and 

 is slower in its motions. Its tail is only one-third the length 

 of its body. The specimens observed were very bold and 

 stupid, allowing themselves to be caught, over and over again, 

 in the same manner. 



The desert fox ( Vulpes macrourus), which is found in the 

 central deserts of the continent, crosses the Sierra Nevada, and 

 is often killed in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. 



§ 90. Badger, etc. — The American badger (Taxidea ameri- 

 cand) is abundant in the plateau of the Sierra Nevada, and is 

 occasionally found in other parts of the state. It is very shy, 

 and is rarely seen by the traveller. 



The black-footed raccoon [Procyon hernandezii) is found in 

 the timbered portions of the Pacific slope of our continent from 

 Santa Barbara to British Columbia. It is longer than the At- 

 lantic raccoon [Procyo7i lotor), but resembles it very closely in 

 its mental character and capacity, habits and appearance. The 

 raccoon is fond of grapes, and when he enters a vineyard selects 

 those of the finest flavor. 



An opossum {Didelphys californica) is found hi the wooded 

 portions of the state, but is not abundant. 



The yellow-haired porcupine [Erethizon epixantlms), a na- 

 tive of California, is the largest of its genus. The spmes are 

 a couple of inches long, yellowish in color, with brown tips. 

 On the lower part of the sides the spines are replaced by long, 

 stiff bristles. 



The mountain-cat, or striped bassaris {Bassaris astuta), is 

 abundant along the western base of the Sierra Nevada, be- 

 tween latitudes 36° and 39°. The body is about the size of 



