VIII 



THE RACOON 



The racoon, absolutely peculiar to North America, 

 may serve as an introduction to some knowledge of 

 beasts of prey and carnivores in general, among which 

 it occupies a somewhat exceptional position. It is a 

 stoutly built quadruped, although its coat of long coarse 

 hair makes it look yet stouter than it really is. It is 

 about the size of a badger, and has a sharp -pointed 

 muzzle, rather short ears, and a moderately long, bushy, 

 but cylindrically-shaped tail, marked with black and 

 white rings. The general colour of its hair is greyish 

 brown, and there is a light -coloured patch over either 

 eye and on the side of the muzzle. The limbs are of 

 medium length, and each paw has five toes. Those of 

 the forepaws can be stretched wide apart and all the 

 digits have arched and pointed claws which are not re- 

 tractile, like those of a cat. When standing, the soles 

 of the feet are wholly applied to the ground, so that the 

 animal is what is called plantigrade, although in walking 

 the heel is somewhat raised. Its grinding or molar 

 teeth are mostly broad and rather flat, with moderate 

 prominences, and no remarkably sharp blades adapted 

 for cutting flesh. Its name of racoon, familiarly abbre- 

 viated into coon, is a corruption of its Indian designation 

 arathcone. It can make a good fight, an old coon being 

 a good match for an average dog. Though very sly, 



