CANIS PKOCYONOIDES. 135 



specimen which was living in the Zoological Gardens in 1874 presented 

 a coloration different from that of all previously figured individuals *. 



The Raccoon-like Dog is an inhabitant of Japan, the valley of the 

 Amoor, and China. Siebold found it to be very common throughout 

 the Japanese islands, where its flesh was considered as good food with an 

 agreeable flavour, and its powdered, calcined bones a valuable medicine. 

 [t makes its nest in hollow trunks as well as in burrows which it ex- 

 cavates. It inhabits the woods on mountain-slopes, and is said to climb 

 trees to obtain their fruit. It is sometimes found hidden in the day- 

 time in cavities between rocks, and in winter will now and then make 

 its home beneath the foundations of some country cottage. Its vicinity 

 is in no way dreaded, as it is not deemed destructive to poultry. The 

 natives employ its skin to make bellows, and also to decorate their 

 drums and for winter head-gear. 



Radde tells us f that the Raccoon-like Dog is said to hibernate like 

 a badger, if it has had an opportunity of feeding well in the autumn, so 

 that it is in very good condition. If, however, such is not the case, so 

 that as winter approaches it is poor and thin, then it has to remain 

 active and seek its food all through the cold season. This asserted 

 hibernation is very peculiar, as nothing like it is known to occur in any 

 other species of the Canida. The fat ones which go to sleep, do so in 

 the deserted burrow of some fox, or some other excavation which 

 penetrates below that point to which the frost may extend into the 

 earth during the depth of winter. The creature is only met with most 

 rarely in the mountains during the winter months. 



At that season it frequents running streams to feed on fish, sleeping in 

 the daytime concealed behind the tall sedges which extend far and wide 

 in the valleys of the Amoorland. When traversing the ice it progresses 

 with numerous short jumps. It is much less wary than the fox, and 

 extremely greedy, on which account it is easily taken by means of 

 strychnine, although it will sometimes get far away before succumbing 

 to the poison. 



* See Proc. Zool. Soc. 1874, pi. 50, p. 323. 

 t Op. cit. p. 85. 



