46 THE HUNTER AND TRAPPEPw 



tinnes to cling with great force. The conical form of 

 the head, and the very pointed and flexible character of 

 the muzzle or snout are of great importance in aiding the 

 raccoon to examine every vacuity and crevice to which he 

 gains access ; nor does he neglect any opportunity of us- 

 ing his natural advantages, hut explores every nook and 

 corner with the most persevering diligence and attention, 

 greedily feeding on spiders, worms, or other small insects 

 which are discovered by his scrutiny. Where the open- 

 ing is too small to give admittance to his nose, he employs 

 his fore paws and shifts his position, or turns his paws 

 sidewise, in order to facilitate their introduction and effect 

 his purpose. This disposition to feed on the grubs or lar- 

 vae of insects must render this animal of considerable 

 utility in forest lands, in consequence of the great num- 

 bers of injurious and destructive insects he consumes. 

 He is also said to catch frogs with considerable address, 

 by slily creeping up, and then S2:)ringing on them with 

 both paws. The general color of the raccoon is blackish 

 gray, which is pale on the under part of the body, and has, 

 over considerable part of the neck, back, and sides, some 

 fawn, or light rust-colored hair intermingled. The tail is 

 covered with hair, and is marked with five or six black 

 rings around it on a yellowish white ground. The entire 

 soles of his feet are bare. AYhen standing, he rests upon 

 his feet from heel to toe, flat like a bear, but in walking 

 he goes upon his toes only, like a cat. 



There are many caught and killed about cornfields, but 



