252 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



This is probably the time affigned by Nature to this fpe- 

 cies of animals for procuring their food, which confifts 

 chiefly of young birds, eggs, and fmall animals. 



It inhabits Brazil and Guiana, runs up trees very nim- 

 bly, eats like a Dog, and holds its food between its fore 

 legs like a Bear. 



The Coati ftands with eafe on its hind feet. — It is faid 

 to gnaw its own tail, which it generally carries erect, 

 and fweeps it about from fide to fide. 



The RACOON 



is very common in the warm regions of America. It is 

 found alfo in the mountains of Jamaica ; from whence 

 great numbers of them frequently defcend into the plan* 

 tations, and make great havock among the fugar-canes, 

 of which they are particularly fond. The planters con- 

 fider thefe animals as their greateft enemies, as they 

 frequently do infinite mifchief in one night's excurfion : 

 They have contrived various methods of deftroying them ; 

 yet ftill they propagate in fuch numbers, that neither 

 traps nor fire-arms can repel them. 



The Racoon is fomewhat lefs than the Badger: Its 



