FAMILY URSINE ; BEAR, RACCOON, COATI. 229 



will not only traverse vast fields of ice, but will also swim for 

 considerable distances through the sea. It will devour the re- 

 mains of Fishes, Cetacea, and other marine animals ; and has 

 been even seen to dive after and capture living Fish. In sum- 

 mer, the Polar Bear devours mountain-berries ; and does not 

 reject even sea- weeds and marsh-plants. Of the devotion of the 

 female Polar Bear to her young, and of her courage in their 

 defence, many instances are well known. 



200. We have now to notice certain aberrant genera of this 

 family ; in which the characters of the group are less prominently 

 displayed. The Raccoon differs from the Bears in its dentition ; 

 having only 6 instead of 7 molars in the lower jaw ; and the car- 

 nivorous tooth being formed like the posterior molars, and ill 

 suited to cutting flesh. In size, it equals a common Fox ; it has 

 a stout body with moderate limbs, and a semi-plantigrade walk ; 

 the toes are five on each foot, and armed with sharp claws ; 

 the muzzle is sharp, the nose tapering beyond the lips, and 

 flexible ; the tail is somewhat bushy. The Raccoon is nocturnal 

 in its habits, sleeping by day in its hole, and prowling at night in 

 search of food. It frequents the margins of swamps and rivers, 

 and the sea-shore ; and preys upon small animals, birds, eggs, 

 insects, and shell-fish, with the addition of roots and sweet suc- 

 culent vegetables. Its dexterity in opening Oysters has been 

 particularly noticed. Its gait on the ground consists of a series 

 of bounds, reminding us of the Lemurs, but without their 

 grace or agility ; it climbs trees readily, in the same manner as 

 the Bear. When taken young, this animal is easily tamed, and 

 its habits are gentle and playful ; but it is at the same time 

 capricious and easily offended, and seldom forgives its enemy. 

 The Coati is distinguished by the elongation of its snout, to 

 which its scientific name Nasua refers ; to this character an 

 approach was pointed out in the Raccoon. The snout is a sort of 

 short flexible proboscis, at the extremity of which the nostrils 

 open ; the animal turns it about in various directions when in 

 search of food, and uses it to root up the earth in quest of worms 

 and insects. In its general characters and habits, it strongly 

 resembles the Raccoon ; and like it is confined to the New World. 



