SECRETARY'S REPORT. 163 



tinctly separated ; soles of the feet naked ; food omnivorous. Some 

 species hibernate. 



Genus : Procyon. — (Storr.) 



Characteristics. — Head broad and rounded, tapering rapidly to the 

 nose, which is tx'uncate, somewhat elongated and movable ; ears short, 

 erect ; incisors, six in each jaw ; canines, two in each jaw ; false molars, 

 eight in each jaw ; molars, four in the upper and four in the lower jaw ; 

 body rather stout ; limbs strong ; feet five toed, walk less plantigrade 

 than the other genera of the family Ursidce ; tail moderately long; food 

 omnivorous. 



Procyon lotor, (Storr.) — Raccoon. 



This animal is not uncommon in this State, particularly in the 

 western and northern counties. It is a restless, mischievous animal, 

 nocturnal in habits. Its food is miscellaneous in character, consisting 

 of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, shell-fish, insects, fruit, vegetables and 

 grain, particularly Indian corn when in the milk stage : in fact, its 

 incursions into the corn-fields have rendered it an object of dislike to 

 the farmer, who loses no opportunity of destroying it. It has a pro- 

 pensity of destroying much more thaa it can eat ; to which its visits to 

 the corn-fields, where it breaks down the corn-stalks in every direction, — 

 to the poultry yard, where it destroys every fowl it can reach, eating the 

 head and leaving the mutilated body, — and to the apple and peach 

 orchard, where it selects the finest and most luscious fruit, but only taking 

 a bite or two of each before turning to another, give tangible evidence. 

 It is very fond of eggs, and is not particular to have them fresh laid ; 

 being an excellent climber, no bird's nest is secure from it, and the 

 number which it destroys is not inconsiderable. 



It is a very cunning animal, but is easily trapped, entering readily a 

 trap baited with a fish or ear of sweet corn ; the most common trap 

 with which it is taken is a heavy log set with a figure of 4 trigger, 

 which when sprung drops the log on the raccoon, who is crushed to 

 death ; if caught when young it is easily tamed, but makes a michievous 

 pet. 



It makes its nest in a hollow tree, and has from three to seven at a 

 birth, in May, in this State. It prefers the neighborhood of a thick 

 swamp with large trees scattered through it, and with a stream of water 

 running through it. 



The raccoon hibernates through the winter. 



Description. — Head short and rounded, tapering suddenly to the nose, 

 which is naked, sharpened, and somewhat movable; ears short, I'ounded 

 at the tip, covered with hair on both sides ; whiskers white, few in 



