THE RACCOON. 57 



sons were far ahead, and, guided by their dog, had 

 found a raccoon in a hush and had knocked it on the 

 head. It was the first time that I had ever gazed upon 

 this quadruped (Procyon lotor). He was scarcel}- 

 as hig as a fox, but more compact. The shape of 

 the head was, however, very hke the European fox, 

 broad at the forehead and tapering down to the 

 muzzle. The great point of distinction between 

 the raccoon and the fox is his ears, which give an 

 appearance to his head altogether dissimilar from 

 his congener. His tail is more tufted, and is divided 

 into black and white bands. His fore legs are 

 shorter than the hinder, so that, when he stands 

 upon all-fours, the hinder part of the raccoon is 

 lifted higher than the front, and consequently the 

 back is curved. When a raccoon walks, he only 

 puts the tips of his toes to the ground, as the 

 dog does, and when he rests, he lays the foot flat. 

 Thus it is that he moves his body forward by an 

 oblique and vertical movement, precisely like that 

 of the squirrel. The raccoon feeds himself with his 

 fore-feet, and with them he holds his food within 

 reach of his teeth. The fur of the raccoon is red- 

 dish-brown at the sides, shaded with black on the 

 loins, and almost white under the belly. The ears 

 and nose are black, but the cheeks are of a bright- 

 red. 



Meantime, Mr. Danielson's dogs were on a new 

 scent, and were hunting their quarry. They led the 



