454 RACCOON. 



probable that Linnasus carelessly applied the tri- 

 vial name luscus to the animal on no other consi- 

 deration than the above accidental circumstance. 

 A specimen mentioned by Mr. Pennant, mea- 

 sured from nose to tail about twenty-eight inches, 

 and the tail about seven inches; but the hair 

 reached six inches beyond the tail itself. 



RACCOON. 



Ursus Lotor. U. cauda annulata, fascia per oculos trans-cersali 



nigra. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 103. 

 B. with annulated tail, and black transverse band across the 



eyes. 



Ursus cauda annulatim variegata. Briss. Quadr. p. 189. 

 Mapach. Ternand. anim. 2. p. i. Nieremb, hist. not. p. 175. 

 Le Raton. Bujf. 8. p. 33y.pl. 43. 

 Raccoon. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 12. 



The Raccoon is a native of the New World, and 

 is principally an inhabitant of the northern parts 

 of that continent. It is also found in some of 

 the West-Indian islands. Its colour is grey; the 

 face white; the eyes each imbedded in a large 

 patch of black, which forms a kind bf band across 

 the forehead, and is crossed by a dusky stripe 

 running down the nose. The visage is shaped 

 like that of a Fox, the forehead being broad and 

 the snout sharp ; the eyes are large and greenish : 

 the ears short and slightly rounded ; and the upper 

 jaw is longer than the lower: the tail, which is 

 covered with bushy hair, tapers to the end, and 



