The Canadian Otter and Raccoon. 69 



their ancient haunts. In a series of interesting papers lately- 

 published by Dr. Gilpin in the Transactions of the Institute of 

 Natural Science of Nova Scotia,* it would appear that such as 

 the bear, raccoon, and beaver are returning to localities from 

 whence they had been driven in former years. With reference to 

 the raccoon he says, " It has penetrated the whole length of the 

 Annapolis Valley during the last thirty years in such num- 

 bers as to damage the crops of the mountain farmers, whilst 

 on the southern side, separated by the river and basin, he is 

 unknown. Les Carbot, who visited Nova Scotia in 1606, 

 speaks of small animals very round and fat, which had black 

 paws like monkeys, as plentiful there at that time. These must 

 have been raccoons. I note this as curious that they should 

 retire before cultivation, and then return 300 years afterwards, 

 under such different circumstances, to cultivated fields instead 

 of primeval forests, to corn and maize instead of wild fruits and 

 berries." These observations suggest considerations with re- 

 ference to the cause or causes of albinism and nigritism, and 

 to consider how far the changed conditions of life may have 

 brought about these states ; indeed, so changeable are the 

 colourings of the fur of the raccoon that, as Baird states, it is 

 rare to meet with two individuals coloured exactly alike. It 

 would be interesting, therefore, if we could find out whether or 

 not the animal has always been subject to this remarkable 

 mutability as regards colouring. Indeed so pronounced are 

 many varieties of the carnivorous quadrupeds just mentioned, 

 that the species-maker might indulge his proclivities to a large 

 extent, were it not that we know sufficient of each animal's 

 habits to show the inutility of any such proceeding, 



It has frequently appeared to me, as it must doubtless strike 



every one whose field of observation has extended beyond one 



district or region, and not been narrowed to the naming and 



describing of objects in museums, how much it has become a 



* See vol. ii., p. 83, et seq. 



