OEDEE OF OAENIVOEA. 425 



gression, and are armed witli strong and somewliat sharp nails ; 

 the pelage is abundant, and the tail bushy. 



Eacoons are omnivorous, though vegetable substances predomi- 

 nate in their alimentation. Roots and fallen fruit form the staple 

 of their nourishment. They climb trees to gather eggs, and even 

 to capture young birds in the nest. 



Two species of the Racoon are known : the Common Eacoon 

 (Fig. 173) is distributed over North America, from the Gulf of 

 Mexico to Canada. It is easily tamed, and makes a capital pet, 

 although rather mischievous in its proclivities. The boatmen of 

 the Ohio and Mississippi teach them many tricks, and after- 



^r'^^ffi-_^^" 



rig. 173. — Common Racoon (Procj/on lotor). 



wards exhibit them to public curiosity. The Crab-eating Eacoon 

 is also a native of America. Crabs and other shell-fish, as may 

 be imagined from, its name, are its principal support. It is 

 slimmer and more active than the former. 



The Kinkajon, or Potto {Cercoleptes caudivolvus, F. Cuv.).- — 

 Uncertainty has been felt for some considerable time as to the 

 place which ought to be assigned to this genus in the zoological 

 series. Some naturalists have placed it in the Quadrumanous 

 Order, and others have created for it a special family among the 

 Carnivora, desiring thus to show that they considered it something 

 intermediate between the two above-named Orders. No hesita- 

 tion, however, ought to be felt in classing it among the Viverridse 

 Family, to which it manifests undoubted affinity. 



It must be confessed that the Kinkajou bears some resemblance 

 to certain species of Monkeys, especially to the Sapajous, its head 

 being nearly the same shape, and its tail long and prehensible. 

 Its coat, too, is of a woolly texture, which is another point of 



