67 



in the annuli of tue tail is nearly corn-colored throughout. The under- 

 fur is of a light, sooty tinge, growing much darker on the hind legs. 

 The ears are grayish-white. The result of the sub-terminal whitish 

 annulation of the hairs is a light gray, which is the prevailing color. 

 The under parts are a similar gray, without the tips ; here, as in the rest 

 of the body, the dull- brown under-fur shows through. The intervals 

 between the black rings of the tail are grayish-white ; they are usually 

 a trifle wider than the black rings. The tail is uniform (about 2J to 3 

 inches) ; the end rounded. 



Distribution and Habits. — This well known animal is abundant in the 

 eastern United States, and has been observed in Colorado. It is common in 

 Ohio, usually found in the vicinity of water. It is said to be an expert at 

 catching crayfish and minnows. It is very destructive to green corn, 

 especially the sweet varieties. When once "treed," they are readily 

 taken — if in holes, by a wire hook driven into a long pole and thrust 

 down to the bottom of the nest. In their blind rage they seize the 

 hook and are easily drawn out, thrown to the ground, and dispatched. 

 The animal is often domesticated; but they make rather savage and 

 treacherous pets, stealing chickens that venture near their chain. 



A western form takes its place on the Pacific coast, P. hernandezii, Wag- 

 ler, the California or Black-footed Raccoon. 



ORDER UNGULATA. 

 SUB-ORDER ARTIQDACTYLA. 

 Toes paired; the third and fourth sub-equal and exserted; fifth and 

 second about equal in size and position, and developed or atrophied in 

 nearly equal degree ; dorso-lumbar vertebras usually nineteen ; intermax- 

 illaries flattened toward the symphysis ; incisors, when present, diverging 

 toward their roots; stomach more or less subdivided or complex; caecurh 

 comparatively small and simple. 



FAMILIES OF ARTIODACTYXA. 



Molars with two double crescentiform folds, with the convex surfaces internal; canines 

 resembling and parallel with incisors (different in Camelidce); digestive system 

 adapted for rnmination ; stomach quadripartite ; axis with odontoid process like a 

 spout or hollow half-cylinder, and with a sharp, prominent semi-cironlar rim. 

 (Flower,) {JPecora; or Euminantia.) 

 Hind limbs with femur inclosed within the integument ; incisors deciduous from 

 upper jaw, persistent in lower; cervical vertebrae normal (not elongated as in 

 Giraffidm) ; hinder limbs longer than fore limbs, 

 o. Horns persistent (common to both sexes), and developed as sheaths of true 

 ' ' horn " on osseous cores originating from the frontal bones. BoviD^. 

 aa. Horns solid, deciduous, peculiar to the rutting season, not encased in horn, 

 more or less branched ; usually wanting in females. . . CBRVXDiB. 



