114 “RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 
are frequently seen in the most densely-settled parts of the 
country. 
The red fox (Vulpes fuluus macrourus) is found north of 
latitude 87°; the gray fox (Vulpes virginianus) in all the tim- 
bered parts of the state. The coast fox ( Vulpes littoralis) is 
found only on the island of San Miguel, off the coast of Santa 
Barbara. In its color it bears 4 great resemblance to the gray 
fox, but it is not more than half as large, is less cunning, and 
is slower in its motions. Its tail is only one-third the Ichgth 
of its body. The specimens observed were very bold and 
stupid, allowing themselves to be caught, over and over again, 
in the same manner. 
The desert fox ( Vulpes macrourus), which is found in the 
central deserts of the continent, crosses the Sierra Nevada, and 
is often killed in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties. 
§ 90. Badger, ete.—The American badger (Zaxidea ameri- 
cana) is abundant in the plateau of the Sierra Nevada, and is 
occasionally found in other parts of the state. It is very shy, 
and is rarely seen by the traveller. 
The black-footed raccoon (Procyon hernandezit) is found in 
the timbered portions of the Pacific slope of our continent from 
Santa Barbara to British Columbia. It is longer than the At- 
lantic raccoon (Procyon lotor), but resembles it very closely in 
its mental character and capacity, habits and appearance. The 
raccoon is fond of grapes, and when he enters a vineyard selects 
those of the finest flavor. 
An opossum (Didelphys californica) is found in the wooded 
portions of the state, but is not abundant. 
The yellow-haired porcupine (Hrethizon epixanthus), a na- 
tive of California, is the largest of its genus. The spines are 
a couple of inches long, yellowish in color, with brown tips. 
On the lower part of the sides the spines are replaced by long, 
stiff bristles. 
The mountain-cat, or striped bassaris (Bassaris astuta), is 
abundant along the western base of the Sierra Nevada, be- 
tween latitudes 36° and 39°. The body is about the size of 
