ORDER CARNASSIER. 251 



nothing of the circumstances of the re-production and de- 

 velopment of these animals : we know not, with precision, 

 the means which they employ in procuring their food, or in 

 defending themselves against their enemies. In fine, the 

 physical history of the animal is known, but of its natural 

 history we are almost in a state of perfect ignorance. The 

 females are smaller than the males, but in every thing else 

 there is a strict resemblance between the two sexes. 



The substance of this description is taken from that most 

 indefatigable, and most meritorious naturalist, M. Frede- 

 rick Cuvier, whose zeal in the cause of science is only to 

 be equalled by his assiduity and judgment in its prosecu- 

 tion. These remarks are the result of his observations on 

 a great number of Racoons, possessed by the French mena- 

 gerie. A state of captivity is not very favourable to the 

 development of the natural instincts or habits of any ani- 

 mal. Under strict confinement, and leading a mononotous life, 

 it must always present itself under the same aspect. Ani- 

 mals must be seen under other conditions, to form an ac- 

 curate judgment of their natural character. They must be 

 in a state of freedom, and their various relations must be 

 sufficiently extended, before their faculties can be com- 

 pletely unfolded. 



D'Azzara has spoken of the Racoon under the name of 

 Agouarapope. He says that the female has three teats on 

 each side. The Mapach of Mienskenberg is evidently a 

 Racoon, but the drawing is incorrect, and the engraving 

 very bad. Buffon has, hitherto, given the most correct 

 figure. In possession of the editor, is a drawing of 

 Major Smith's, of a specimen of the Racoon, of a bright- 

 rose colour, and which, though extremely rare, we pre- 

 sume to be the same as the yellow Racoon, mentioned by 

 M. Geoffroy, in the catalogue of the collection of the French 

 Museum. 



