MAMMALS. 663 



In northern Mexico, and extending some distance into the United 

 States, is a curious little animal which bears no less than a dozen English 

 names, besides a number more of Indian and Spanish origin, but what one 

 of these is best is a question. American civet-cat, Mexican cat, and ring- 

 tailed cat are all objectionable, because they infer a relationship to the 

 civets and the cats which in reality does not exist. Cat-squirrel is hardly 

 better, while raccoon-fox would do were it more popular. The reader may 

 take his choice. This polynomial animal has the appearance of both a cat 

 and a raccoon, and a very pleasing physiognomy. It lives in the trees 

 and among the rocks, and if it can but find a deserted ranch, its home is 

 made in it. It is quiet in its habits, moving about but little until after 

 dark, and then it begins its prowling. It is fond of rats and mice, while 

 a chicken-coop presents attractions and temptations sufficient to overcome 

 a not very strong conscience. In Mexico, as in California, it is frequently 

 caught and tamed, and makes a very interesting and amusing pet. It is 

 very playful, and we can only regret that living specimens have not fallen 

 into the hands of those of our naturalists who are able to w r rite those 

 entertaining animal biographies. It has, however, made the scientific 

 world much trouble ; for it has been very difficult to assign it to its proper 

 place in the animal series. Bassaris is the name naturalists have given it. 



It would, however, appear that the ring-tailed cat is most nearly 

 related to our next form, the raccoon, or coon for short — that nuisance in 

 the cornfield or in the poultry-yard, that delight of the colored citizens of 

 the southern states. Who is there that has not seen a coon-hunt, or at 

 least heard one described ? A coon-hunt properly conducted requires 

 negroes ; otherwise, it is about as spiritless as trout-fishing in a trout-pond, 

 or gunning for game-birds in a poultry-yard. In a coon-hunt the hunters 

 afford as much sport as the hunted. Besides the negroes are the coon- 

 dogs, lank creatures fully alive to all the pleasures of the nocturnal expe- 

 dition, and trained to distinguish the scent of a coon, no matter how deep 

 he may be in some hollow tree. As the party starts out lighted with 

 torches and lanterns, some carrying axes, and others shot-guns, the dogs 

 running eagerly along, and all in a high state of excitement and volubility, 

 the scene is beyond description. Of course the dogs and their baying and 

 barking soon inform the party that a coon is treed. Guided by the sound, 

 they make their way across meadows and ditches, through swamp and 

 woods, until at last they reach the tree. If the coon be in the branches, 

 his glistening eyes, lighted up by the torches, are soon seen, and then the 

 hunt is quickly over. It, however, frequently happens that the tree is 

 hollow, and his coonship is hidden deep in the cavity. Then the ax<> 

 beat against the trunk to see how far down the hollow extends. At the 



