4 
MAMMALIA. 
10. Procyon lotor. The racoon. (F. B. A. No. 11.) 
Racoons were seen in considerable numbers by Lewis and Clarke, in the woody tracts near the 
mouth of the Columbia, and their skins were procured by Cook at Nootka Sound, and along the coast 
up to Prince William’s Sound. The identity of the racoon of the Pacific with that of the Atlantic 
coasts of America, has not been ascertained ; and it is likely that several species exist west 
of the Rocky Mountains. Captain Cook mentions that the pelt of the racoon skins of Prince Wil- 
liam’s Sound was much liner, and of a lighter brown colour, than of those of Nootka. — Mr. Collie 
says that a racoon, or small bear, is common near La Puerta of San Bias, in California. It inhabits 
the woods, climbs trees, and feeds partly on nuts, but principally on Crustacea, which it obtains on 
the sea-sliore. The largest that was seen was about the size of a pointer dog, which is greater than 
either the P. lotor or P. cancrivorus. 
11. Meles Labradoria. American badger. (F. B. A. No. 12.) 
The description of the “braro” of the Columbia, by Lewis and Clarke (3. p. 40), agrees with this 
species, except that it has one of the nails of each foot double, like that of the beaver. 
12. Gulo luscus. The wolverene. (F. B. A. No. 13.) 
Inhabits all the northern parts of America. Cook obtained skins of a very bright colour in Prince 
William’s Sound. 
13. Mustela (Putoria) vulgaris. The common weasel. (F. B. A. No. 14.) 
The “ small ermine skins” obtained by Captain Cook at Nootka were in all probability the spoils 
of the common weasel, killed in winter, when it is clothed in a white dress like the ermine. 
14. Mustela (Putoria) erminea. The ermine. (F. B. A. No. 15.) 
Prince William’s Sound. (Capt. Cook.) 
15. Mustela (Putoria) vison. The vison-weasel. (F. B. A. No. 16.) 
Columbia river, and New Caledonia. It is perhaps the “ marsh otter” of Langsdorff, found in 
Oonalaska. 
16. Mustela martes. The pine martin. (F. B. A. No. 17.) 
From North California to Prince William’s Sound. The pale skins obtained by Captain Cook 
were summer specimens. 
17. Mustela Canadensis. The pekan, or fisher. (F. B. A. No. 18.) 
Columbia river, and New Caledonia. Termed by Lewis and Clarke the “ black fox,” and said 
to abound in the woody country at the mouth of the Columbia, where it preys on squirrels, bounding 
after them from tree to tree with great activity. 
18. Mephitis Americana. The skunk. (F. B. A. No. 19.) 
New Caledonia, and the banks of the Columbia. — Langsdorff saw pole-cats in Monterey bay, 
California, where they are termed “zorillo,” doubtless a distinct species from the more northern 
skunk. 
19. Lutra Canadensis. The Canada otter. (F. B. A. No. 20.) 
From North California to Behring’s Straits. 
