68 THE RACOON. 



these will incur every danger. In Jamaica, great numbers of 

 racoons often descend from the mountains to feed upon the 

 sugar-canes, the planters of which regard them as among their 

 greatest pests ; and though traps, fire-arms, and various other 

 means are used to destroy them, they still abound to such an 

 extent, as to commit serious ravages in a single night. Mr. 

 Richard C. Taylor, in his valuable account of the geology of the 

 north-eastern extremity of the Alleghany Mountain Range, in 

 Pennsylvania, says these animals " swarm about the newly 

 cleared lands of Lycoming Valley, eating and destroying much 

 corn in the fall. Not less than a hundred of them were taken, 

 in October and November, 1834, by traps and dogs, during the 

 autumn evenings, in a few fields near me."* 



The racoon is very fond of water, and it drinks both by 

 suction and lapping. Before it eats its food, it generally dips 

 it into water, if there be any within its reach, and then rolls the 

 moistened morsel between its paws. Cuvier says it eats nothing 

 without having dipped it ; but Mr. Bennett says it frequently 

 entirely neglects to do so. It is, however, from this curious 

 practice, the purpose of which is not very obvious, that the 

 racoon derives its specific name lotor. 



When kept in confinement, it soon becomes tame, affectionate, 

 and playful; and shows a great partiality for sweetmeats, and 

 will drink spirits until overcome by intoxication. But although, 

 while under restraint, it may appear attached to its owner, and 

 reconciled to its reclaimed state, yet directly it is permitted 

 to regain its liberty, it exhibits wild and independent conduct. 



If ill-treated, the racoon is very resentful. A man having 

 given a tame one several lashes with a whip, could never after- 

 wards induce the animal to tolerate his presence - } neither eggs 

 nor fish, of which it was exceedingly fond, could appease its 

 resentment. At the approach of this man, the racoon always 

 flew into a rage, its eyes kindled, it endeavoured to spring upon 

 him, uttered the most mournful cries, and refused every pro- 

 ferred dainty, till the object of its hatred retired. It disliked 

 * Magazine of Natural History, vol. viii. p. 537, 



