CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 5. CARNIVORA. 



175 



The raccoon is easily tamed, and becomes an amusing though troublesome pet. He uses his 

 fore-feet like hands, and is an expert pickpocket. He will follow his master even along the 

 streets of a town. He is, however, perpetually peering about, and his inquisitiveness becomes, 

 after a time, quite tedious and vexatious. His greediness for sugar, honey, and other sweet things, 

 renders him importunate and troublesome. 



The hunting of the raccoon is a favorite sport in some parts of the country. The hunts usually 

 take place by moonlight, dogs being used to tree the game. Great experience is required, as 

 these creatures are nimble and subtle, and often baffle even the most skillful hunters. Many of 

 these animals are caught in various kinds of traps. 



■ ?SP^ 



THE CRAB-EATING RACCOON. 



The Crab-eating Raccoon resembles the preceding, though the body is rather longer and more 

 slender. The general color is an ashy brown ; the breast and belly of a lighter shade. It climbs 

 trees with agility, and feeds on acorns, grapes, berries, eggs, birds, <fec. It sometimes seizes the 

 chickens around a plantation : it follows the water-courses, and devours frogs and fish ; it also 

 delights in sugar-cane. It seems to be chiefly nocturnal in its habits. It is most abundant in 

 the northern parts of South America, but is found also in Mexico, Texas, and California. 



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THE COATI MONDI. 



Genus COATI : Nasua. — Of this genus there are said to be several species. They are distin- 

 •?uished by a long "body, a long head terminating in a long flexible snout, with which they root in 



