The Eacoon. 51 



The ferocity of this kind of Bear is equal to its cun- 

 ning. A few years since, the crew of a boat belonging 

 to a ship in the whale-fishery, shot at a Bear at a short 

 distance and wounded it. The animal immediately set 

 up the most dreadful yells, and ran along the ice towards 

 the boat. Before it reached it, a second shot was fired, 

 and hit it. This served to increase its fury. It presently 

 swam to the boat ; and in attempting to get on board, 

 placed its fore foot upon the gunwale ; but one of the 

 crew having a hatchet, cut it oif. The animal still, how- 

 ever, continued to swim after them till they arrived at 

 the ship, and several shots were fired at it, which also 

 took effect; but on reaching the ship it immediately 

 ascended the deck, and the crew having fled into the 

 shrouds, it was pursuing them thither, when a shot from 

 one of them laid it dead on the deck. 



THE EACOON. (Procyon lotor.) 



THIS animal is a native of America, of the bear tribe : 

 in Jamaica they are very numerous, and do incredible 

 mischief to the plantations of sugar-cane and Indian corn, 

 especially to the latter while it is young. The Eacoon 

 is less than the fox hi size, and has a sharp-pointed nose. 

 His fore legs are shorter than the others. The colour of 

 his body is grey, with two broad rings of black round 

 the eyes, and a dusky line running down the middle of 

 the face. In the wild state the Eacoon is savage and 

 sanguinary, committing great destruction among both 

 wild and domesticated birds, without consuming any part 

 of them except the head, or the blood which flows from 



