HCXTTNG THE RACCOON. 371 



(|aantity of grain they consume, and from the number of stalks 

 they break down by their weight. 



The raccoon is an excellent climber, and his strong sharp claw 

 effectually secure him from being shaken off the branches of trees, 

 tn fact, so tenaciously does this animal hold to any surface upon 

 which it can rhake an impression with its claws, that it requires a 

 considerable exertion of a man's strength to drag him off; and as 

 long as even a single foot remains attached, he continues to cling 

 with great force. I have had frequent occasions to pull a raccoon 

 from the top of a board fence, where there was no projection 

 which he could seize by ; yet, such was the power and obstinacy 

 with which the points of his claws were stuck into the board, as 

 repeatedly to oblige me to. desist for fear of tearing his skin, or 

 otherwise doing him injury by the violence necessary to detach 

 his hold. 



The conical form of the head, and the very pointed and flexible 

 character of the muzzle or snout, are of great importance in aiding 

 the raccoon to examine every vacuity and crevice to which he 

 gains access ; nor does he neglect any opportunity of using his 

 natural advantages, but explores every nook and cranny, with the 

 most persevering diligence and attention, greedily feeding on 

 spiders, worms, or other insects which are discovered by the 

 scrutiny. Where the opening is too small to give admittance to 

 his nose, he employs his fore-paws, and shifts his position or turns 

 his paws sidewisc, in order to facilitate their introduction and 

 effect his purpose. This disposition to feed on the grubs or larva 1 , 

 of insects must render this animal of considerable utility in forest 

 lands, in consequence of the great numbers of injurious and de- 

 structive insects he consumes. He is also said to catch frogs with 

 considerable address, by slily creeping up, and then springing on 

 them, so as to grasp them with both paws. 



The general color of the raccoon is blackish-gray, which ia 

 paler on the under part of the body, and has, ove? considerable 

 part of the neck, back and sides, some fawn, or light rust-colored 

 hair intermixed. The tail is covered with hair, and is marked 

 with fi-e or six black rings around it, on a yellowish-vvhJ*.e ground. 



