THE RACOON. 119 



snatched out of my hand, and tried very hard to eat the envelop of a 

 letter on which I was making notes. Not succeeding in the attempt, it 

 consoled itself by tearing the paper into minute morsels, employing 

 teeth and paws in the attempt. It did its best to get a ring off ray 

 finger by hitching one of its crooked claws into the ring and pulling 

 with all its strength, wiiich was very considerable in proportion to the 

 size of the animal. Its brown eyes lighted up with animation when 

 engaged in play, and it was very fond of pushing its paw through the 

 bars of its cage in order to attract attention. 



In its native state it is a great devourer of oysters, crabs, and other 

 similar animals, displaying singular ingenuity in opening the stubborn 

 shells of the oysters, or in despatching the crabs without suffering from 

 their ready claws. Sometimes it is said to fall a victim to the oyster, 

 and to be held so firmly by the closing shells that it cannot extricate 

 itself, and perishes miserably by the rising tide. Its oyster-eating 

 propensities have been questioned, but are now clearly proven. The 

 sand and soil that fringe the oyster-beds are frequently seen to be cover- 

 ed with the foot-marks of this animal. 



It is always fond of water, drinking largely, and immersing its food, 

 so as to moisten it as much as possible. When engaged in this curious 

 custom it grasps the food in both its fore-paws, and shakes it violently 

 backward and forward in the water. On account of this remarkable 

 habit it has been dignified with the title of Lotor, " a washer." The 

 German naturalists term it Wasch-B'dr, or Washing Bear. 



Roving at night through the woods, and being gifted with singular 

 subtlety as well as agility, it is frequently chased by the residents, who 

 think a 'Coon-hunt to be one of the most exciting of sports. Certainly, 

 to judge from the animated descriptions of such scenes, the whole affair 

 must be marvellously picturesque to the eye as well as exciting to the 

 mind. The usual plan of hunting the 'Coon is to set an experienced 

 dog on its trail, and to chase it until it takes refuge in a tree. A blaz- 

 ing fire of pins chips is then built under the tree, which illuminates its 

 branches and renders the smallest leaf perceptible. A good climber 

 then ascends the tree, and speedily dislodges the concealed animal. 



In size the Racoon equals a small fox, to which animal it bears a 

 slight external resemblance. The number of its young is usually two 

 or three, and they make their appearance in the month of May. 



The animals which compose the curious genus that is known by the 

 name of Narica are easily recognized on account of the singular 

 length of the nose, which is prolonged so as to form a miniature and 

 mobile proboscis. In their general habits and diet they very strongly 

 resemble the racoons, and are as admirable climbers of trees as can be 

 found in the animal kingdom. 



The extraordinary snout with which the Coaitis are gifted is very 



