114- NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Manners of a tame racoon Occasional depredations. 



Of a racoon formerly the property of M. Blan- 

 quart des Salines, the following particulars have 

 been related. Before it came into his possession, 

 it had always been chained. In this state of cap- 

 tivity it was very gentle, but exhibited little in- 

 clination for fondness. His chain sometimes 

 broke, and on such occasions liberty rendered 

 him insolent. He took possession of an apart- 

 ment, which he would allow none to enter; and 

 it was with considerable difficulty, that he could 

 again be reconciled to bondage. When loosed 

 from his confinement, he would express his gra- 

 titude by a thousand caressing gambols. Bu 

 this was by no means the case when he effected 

 his own escape. He would then roam about, 

 sometimes for three or four days together, upon 

 the roofs of the neighbouring ^houses ; descend, 

 during the night, into the court-yards, enter the 

 hen-roosts, strangle all the poultry, and eat their 

 heads. His chain rendered him more circum- 

 spect, but by no means more humane. When 

 be was in confinement, he employed every arti- 

 fice to make the fowls grow familiar with him; 

 be permitted them to partake of his victuals; and 

 it was only after having inspired them with the 

 greatest notions of security that he would seize 

 one, and tear it in pieces. Some young cats also, 

 became the victims of his artifice. 



He used to open oysters with surprising dex- 

 terity. His sense of touch was very exquisite ; 

 for ia all his little operations, he seldom used 



