RACOON. 153 



tail. Some species are much larger, especially the 

 Northern. 



The colour is grey or grizzly, with longer black 

 and white hairs (about 3 inches) ; the under fur is 

 abundant and dark blue ; the nose is pointed and black ; 

 the ears are of medium length, and usually grey ; the 

 whiskers are scarce, and black and white ; the tail is 

 about 6 inches long, yellow, and ringed with black, the 

 number of rings varying from four to six ; the feet are 

 thin, and covered with short hair ; the face is marked 

 with black and white stripes, and there is a black circle 

 round the eye ; the belly is usually light. 



The leather of out-of- season skins is usually blue or 

 dark in the centre of the back, as in most animals. 

 An extremely rare occurrence is to find this dark mark 

 in the shape of a half-moon. 



White and light fawn Racoons are sometimes met 

 with. The latter variety is very beautiful, the tail being 

 ringed with bands of a slightly deeper shade. 



A white spot is sometimes seen on the body, and 

 sometimes there is a white tip to the tail. Black and 

 dark brown specimens are somewhat rare ; these are 

 mostly taken in wooded districts ; they command a high 

 price, 30s. being sometimes paid. The usual assortment 

 of Eacoon skins comprised twenty different sizes, colours, 

 and qualities, ranging in price from 6d. to 10s. ; now 

 there are fewer sorts. 



The greatest depth of colouring is in the Southern type. 

 This fur is used over the greater part of the civilized 

 world, the cheaper sorts being used in Canada and 

 Germany for coats, coat-linings, etc., and the better 

 sorts in France, Eussia, and England, for trimmings, 

 capes, etc. The better pale skins are usually dyed 

 black or brown. 



