THE RACOON. 113 
and which we are now to describe, is most frequent in 
the northern division of that continent. Indeed it may 
admit of doubt whether it ever advances further south 
than the Isthmus of Darien, the animal described by 
M. D’Azara as identical with it being evidently a distinct 
species. Its fur is usually of a deep grayish black, 
resulting from the intermixture of those two colours in 
successive rings on each individual hair. The shades of 
colour vary on different parts of the body, and are as 
usual much lighter below and on the inside of the legs. 
The face, which is nearly white, is surrounded by a 
black band of unequal breadth, passing across the fore- 
head, encircling the eyes, and descending obliquely on 
each side towards the angle of the jaw. The whiskers 
are of moderate length; and the hair of the face gene- 
rally, as well as of the legs, is short and smooth. The 
tail, which is thick at the base, tapering gradually to the 
tip, and covered with long hairs, has five or six brownish 
rings, alternating with an equal number of the lighter 
colour which is prevalent on the lower parts of the body. 
All that we know of their habits in a state of nature 
may be comprehended in the single fact, that, in addi- 
tion to the vegetable substances, and more particularly 
fruits, which form the principal part of their subsistence, 
they feed on the eggs of birds, and even on the birds 
themselves, their agility and the structure of their claws 
affording them the means of reaching the tops of the 
tallest trees with quickness and facility. In captivity 
they are easily tamed, and even appear susceptible of 
some degree of attachment; but they never entirely lose 
their sentiment of independence, and are consequently 
incapable of complete domestication. When placed 
I 
