of North Carolina. 123 



Sinews; their Skins worn about the Body, help Palsies, and 

 other cold Disorders; the Testicles are good in the Epilepsy 

 and Fits of the Mother, and have much the same Virtues with 

 the Castoreum. 



The Raccoon (which I take to be a Species of the Monkey) 

 is of a dark grey Colour, and in shape and bigness it partly re- 

 sembles a Fox, but has large black Eyes, with great Whiskers 

 like a Cat, the ISTose like a Pig, and the Feet are form'd like 

 a Hand, or those of a Monkey. If these Animals are taken 

 Young, they are easily made tame and familiar like a Dog, 

 yet they are very Apish, and the drunkenest Creatures in the 

 World, if they can come at Liquors that are strong and sweet ; 

 and, if possible, are more mischievous and unlucky than a 

 Monkey ; they are very subtile and crafty in taking their 

 Prey. Those that live near the Salt-Waters feed much upon 

 Oysters, which they are fond of. These Beasts watch the 

 Oyster when it opens, and nimbly put in their Paw, and 

 pluck out the Fish, yet it sometimes happens that the Oyster 

 shuts and holds fast their Paw 'till the Tide comes in, by 

 which means they are frequently drown'd notwithstanding 

 they swim very well. This animal is very fond of Crahs, 

 which are plenty in this Province, and the way they take 

 them is very remarkable and diverting, for when he intends 

 to make a Prey of this Fish, he goes to the Marshes on the 

 Water side, and standing on the Land he lets his Tail hang 

 down in the Water, which the Crah takes for a Bait, and 

 fastens his Claws therein, as soon as the Raccoon perceives it, 

 he of a sudden springs forwards a considerable way on the 

 Land, and brings the Crah with him ; as soon as the Crah finds 

 himself out of his Element, he immediately lets go his Hold, 

 and then the Raccoon encounters him, by getting him cross- 

 ways in his Mouth, and so devours him. There is a sort of 



Q 2 Land-Crabs 



