124 The Natural Historg 



Land-Crabs in Carolina, which are commonly called Fiddlers, 

 these live all along the Sea-shoar, and have Holes in the Sand, 

 into which they run when pursued by any kind of thing. 

 These Crabs the Raccoon takes by putting his fore Foot into 

 their Hole and pulling them out, which is very diverting with 

 a tame one. The chief of his other Food is wild and tame 

 Fowl, all manner of Fruits, Green Corn, and the like. This 

 Beast and the Possum, are much of a bigness. They are very 

 dexterous in climbing of Trees, and often make unseasonable 

 Visits among the Poultry. The Indians and Negroes fre- 

 quently eat them, and esteem them very much. The Furr 

 makes good Hats, and Linings for Coats in cold Countries, 

 and the Skins dress'd make fine upper-Leather for Women's 

 Shoes, and Gloves for Men. The parts of this Beast are 

 much of the same ]^ature and Virtues with those of the 

 Otter, and may be indifferently used after the same manner. 

 The Foxes are as large as those in Europe, but generally of 

 a gray Colour, they have redish Hair about their Ears and 

 are most commonly fat, yet I have never known any Person 

 eat them, notwithstanding they have not that strong smell 

 that the Foxes in Ireland, and other parts have ; yet they are 

 as mischievous in their Nature. When they are Hunted, 

 they run up the first bending Tree they meet with for Secu- 

 rity from the Dogs, where they generally remain 'till forced 

 down or shot by the Huntsmen, but whether they Burrow in 

 the Ground, I cannot inform the Reader, (for I never met 

 any Fox-Holes in the Country) They are never to be made 

 tame or familiar as the Raccoons and other Beasts in that 

 Country are. The Furr of this Animal, if taken in the Sea- 

 son, is very good, and is used for Muffs, and many other 

 Ornaments. Their Food is chiefly Birds, Fowls, Babbets, 

 and such like small Prey. The Fat or Oil liclps Nodes, con- 

 tracted 



