THE RACOON. 69 



children j their crying irritated it, and it tried to spring upon 

 them. It was very fond of a small bitch, but would give her a 

 severe correction if she barked too loud. 



Linnaeus says that a racoon which he kept, had a strange 

 antipathy to hog's bristles, and was, therefore, much affected at 

 the sight of a brush. 



Racoons are hunted for their fur, which is used by hatters, 

 and considered as next in value to that of the beaver. It is also 

 used as lining for dresses 5 and the skin, when properly pre- 

 pared, makes good gloves, and upper leathers for shoes. The 

 natives eat the flesh, which they reckon excellent food. Hunting 

 the racoon generally takes place at night, and with dogs. 



THE BROWN COATIMONDI. (Nasua fusca.} 

 Brazilian Weasel. 



The brown coatimondi inhabits the woods of Brazil, Paraguay, 

 and other parts of South America. 



It is about three feet long from the tip of the nose to the end 

 of the tail, which appendage is nearly as long as the body. The 

 neck and body are rather long ; the fur short 3 the ears are small 

 and round ; the eyes are small ; the upper jaw protrudes about 

 an inch beyond the lower one -, the snout, which is turned up at 

 the end, is extremely flexible, and when the animal's attention 

 is excited, this organ is kept in constant agitation and moved 



