1885.] DR. ST. G. MIVART ON THE ARCTOIDEA. 347 



been incorrectly divided into species which have been named respec- 

 tively (1) P. hernandezii, (2) P. hernandezii variety mexicana, and 

 (3) P. psora. These names, however, appear to have been given to 

 what are but a few of many varieties of this very variable species. 

 It is the northern species, extending from Alaska southwards to 

 Costa Eica, the more southern forms showing a marked increase in 

 size and in intensity of colour. The other certain species, the syno- 

 nymy of which wa's put right by Dr. Sclatcr \ is P. cancrivorus, 

 a South-American form, ranging from Colombia and Guiana, but 

 which also reaches as far north as Panama. The Raccoons, which 

 are yet further south, and extend through Brazil down to Paraguay, 

 form not improbably a third distinct species of Procyon, distinguished 

 (as Dr. Sclater has remarked) from P. cancrivorus by having darker 

 feet, and so may be found to merit the designation P. nigripes which 

 I would propose to bestow on it ^. 



The latest description of the habits of the Raccoons is that given 

 by Dr. Chnton Hart Merriam in his account, before referred to, of 

 the fauna of the Adirondack region. Ke tells us that the Raccoons 

 do not like the dense evergreen forests but more open woods ; that 

 they are the most strictly nocturnal of all Mammals except Bats 

 and Flying Squirrels, and yet that they may sometimes be seen 

 abroad on cloudy days. They like to play in shallow water, and 

 overturn stones to search for crayfish. They gather mussels, and 

 seek for fish which may be detained in shallow pools. They are 

 good swimmers, but cannot dive in pursuit of prey. Though not 

 arboreal, they are good climbers, making their homes in trees, but 

 carrying on their business elsewhere ; they do not pursue their prey 

 to the tree-tops, as do the Martens, or gather nuts as do the 

 Squirrels. They appear to make a fair defence, an " old Coon being 

 a tough match" for an average Dog;" they are very expert in 

 breaking down the stalks of corn, and stripping the husks from the 

 ear, using their fore paws as we do our hands. Though very sly, 

 they are caught in traps. They are not swift runners, and if pursued 

 take to a tree, when they may be readily killed. Though capable 

 of being made pets of, they cannot be let loose with impunity, on 

 account of their great curiosity, which leads them to find their way, 



and Eeport United States Mexican Boundary Survey, ii. Mammalia, p. 22 ; 



Frantzius, Arch. f. Naturg. xxxv. i. p. 291. 

 P. nivea, Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. i. p. 580. 

 P.paora, Gray, ibid. x. (1842) p. 2(51. 

 Eaccoon, Pennant, Hist. Quad. 1781, no. 178. 



Eaton, Buffon, Hist. Nat. viii. p. 327, pi. 43-46 ; F. Cuv. Mamm. ii. 

 Anatomy of:— Dr. H. Allen, Proc. Acad. N. S. Philad. 1882, p. 115 ; Dr.M. 

 Watson, Proc. Eoy. Soc. (1881), vol. 32. p. 272. 



1 See P. Z. S. 1875, p. 421. 



2 Ursiis cancrivorus, Cuvier, Tabl. El. d'H. N. des Animaux, p. 1 13 (1798). 

 Procyon cancrivorus, Wagner, Suppl. Abtb. ii. p. 160. 



Eaton Crabier, Buffon, Supplement vi. p. 236, pi. 32. 

 The above are the synonyms of P. cancrivorus. Those of P. nigripes are : — 

 Black-footed form, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1875, p. 421. _ 



P. cancrivorus, Prince Maximilian von Neuwied, Beitr. ii. p. 301, and 

 Rengger, Paraguay, p. 113, and Wiegm. Archiv, iii. i. p. 371. 



