THE RACOON. 



(Procyon Lotor. Cuvier. Ursus Lotor. Linnaeus.) 



The Racoon inhabits North America, and even the more 

 extreme parts of it. Mackenzie met with it on the borders of 

 the Red River, in forty-five or fifty degrees north latitude. It 

 is still numerous about several of the populous parts of the 

 United States. Mr. Bennett observes, that " it may admit of 

 doubt whether it ever advances further south than the Isthmus 

 of Darien, the animal described by D'Azara, as identical with 

 it, being evidently a distinct species."* 



The present animal is about three feet in length from the 

 nose to the end of the tail, and about one foot in height. Its 

 body is entirely covered with long, thick, and soft fur, of a 

 greyish black colour. The shape of the head somewhat resem- 

 bles that of the fox, being broad betwixt the ears, and very 

 sharp at the muzzle, which is white ; the eyes are large and 

 yellow, and surrounded by a black band, from which a dusky 

 stripe runs along the nose; the ears are moderately long, 

 rounded, and erect. The legs are slender, and the feet are 

 armed with five sharp and strong claws; which, together with 

 his teeth, enable him to make a vigorous resistance. The back 

 is considerably arched ; the tail is bushy and one foot in length, 



* Tower Menagerie (1829), p. 113. 



