HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 253 



head refembles that of a Fox \ but its ears are round, and 

 much fliorter; and its upper jaw very pointed, and lon- 

 ger than the lower : Its eyes, which are large, are fur- 

 rounded with two broad patches of black ; its body is 

 thick and fhort, covered with long hair, black at the 

 points, and grey underneath j its tail is long and bufhy, 

 and marked with alternate rings of black and white ; its 

 feet and toes are black. 



The Racoon is very active and nimble. Its claws, 

 which are extremely {harp, enable it to climb trees with 

 great facility. It moves forward chiefly by bounding; 

 and, though it proceeds in an oblique direction, runs ve- 

 ry fwiftly. 



When tamed, it is good-natured and fportive; but is 

 almoft conftantly in motion, and as unlucky and inquifi- 

 tive as a Monkey, examining every thing with its paws, 

 which it makes ufe of as hands to lay hold of any thing 

 that is given it, and to carry its meat to its mouth. It 

 fits up to eat, is extremely fond of fweet things and 

 ftrong liquors, with which it will get exceffively drunk. 

 It has all the cunning of the Fox, is very deftru&ive to 

 poultry ; but will eat all forts of fruits, grain, and roots. 

 It has a peculiar method of dipping every thing in water 

 it intends to eat, and will feldom tafte bread till it be 

 well foaked. It opens oyfters with aftonifhing dexterity, 

 feparates the {hells, and leaves not a veftige of the fifh. 

 It does this without looking at the oyfter ; but places it 

 under its hind paws, and with its fore feet fearches for 

 the weakeft part, where it fixes its claws, forces it open, 

 and fnatches out the fifti. It likewife devours all kinds 

 of infects ; delights in hunting fpiders ; and when at li- 

 berty in a garden, will eat grafehoppers, fnails, worms, 

 &c. It is very cleanly, and always retires to obey the 



