MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 139 



The variation in the number of molars and premolars in re- 

 lated genera is as follows: 



4-4 2-2 



Ailuropus : p m. , m. , - 42. 

 4-4 3-3 



3-3 2-2 \ 



Ailurus: p m. , m. = 38. 



4-4 2-2 



o Q o 2 



Arctictis.Cercoleptes: p m. , m. = 36. 



3-3 2-2 



4-4 2-2 



Procyon, Nasua, J3assans: p m. , m. = 40. 



The Ursince agree with the Ailuropus in the number of teeth. 



The head is broad and depressed, the muzzle being pointed 

 and the nose produced. The ears are moderate, rounded, not 

 pointed above. The feet are all five-toed and the toes are dis- 

 tinct. The impression made by the hind foot when the heel is 

 applied to the ground, as is not always done in walking, is al- 

 most exactly like that of a human infant. There are no pads 

 or callosities. The tail is longer than one-half the body and 

 covered with long hairs. The Raccoons always have dark 

 marks about the face, and bands encircling the tail. The three 

 known species are confined to America; they are P. lotor, in- 

 habiting the Eastern United States westward to Texas, Wyo- 

 ming, etc. ; P. hernandezii, occupying the western coast of the 

 United States, Mexico and Central America; and P. cancrivorus 

 from South America. Other species have been described, but 

 seem not to be valid. The three species are so similar that the 

 anatomical characters of P. lotor may be considered of generic 

 application. 



Procyon lotor LINN. 



RACCOON. 



i 



Ursus lotor, older writers. 



Procyon lotor, STORR and later authors. 



About the size and nearly the general color of the badger. 

 Head broad and depressed, the muzzle being acute; ears large, 

 rounded above, hairy. General color grayish white or yellow- 

 ish brown. An oblique dark patch on the cheeks. Tail bushy 

 with four or five dark rings. Entire length over thirty-two 

 inches, the tail being one -third. 



Generally distributed in the United States east of the Rocky 

 Mountains. 



The raccoon ranges over the entire wooded parts of our 

 state and is well known for its depredations upon the farmer 



