280 NATURAL HISTORY. 



security and ease ; on the ground, indeed it rather 

 bounds than runs, and its motions, though oblique, 

 are yet always quick and expeditious. 



The racoon is a native of the southern countries of 

 America and the West Indies, nor has it ever yet 

 been found in any parts of the Old Continent. 



THE CO AT I. 



THE animal of which we are now about to treat, 

 many authors have called coati-mondi. It is very 

 different from the animal described in the preceding 

 article. It is of a smaller size than the racoon. Its 

 body and neck, its head and nose are of a more length- 

 ened form. Its upper jaw is an inch, or an inch and 

 a half longer than the lower one ; and its snout which 

 is moveable in every direction, turns up at the point. 

 The eyes of the coati are also smaller than the eyes 

 of the racoon. Its hair is longer and coarser, its 

 legs are shorter, and its feet longer ; but, like the 

 racoon, its tail is diversified with rings ; and to all its 

 feet tjiere are five claws. 



