42 
THE RACCOON. 
In appearance it resembles the polecat or the fox —is of an ash 
color tinged with yellow, marked with dusky spots disposed in 
rows ; it is light and active and lives by prey, pursuing birds and 
the smaller quadrupeds which it is able to overcome. It is steal- 
thy, like the fox, and often makes successful raids into yards and 
hen-roosts, for the purpose of carrying off poultry. Failing to 
procure animal food, it subsists upon roots and fruits. Its eyes 
shine at night, when it generally attacks its prey by surprise. 
The quantity of perfume substance that one of these animals 
will yield depends greatly upon its appetite, and the quality of 
its nourishment. It produces more in proportion as it is more 
delicately and abundantly fed. 
THE RACCOON. 
/^TVhis animal is a native of North America. It inhabits the 
1 1 , southern parts of the fur districts, and is found as far north 
as the red river, in the Hudson Bay territory. In size it is 
about as large as a small badger, with a short and bulky body ; 
its fur is line, long and thick, blackish at the surface and grey 
towards the bottom ; its head is like that of the fox, but its ears 
are round and shorter;. its eyes are large, of a yellowish green, 
with a black and transverse stripe over them; its snout is sharp ; 
has a thick tail, but tapering to a point, and is at least as long as 
the body ; its fore legs are shorter than the hind ones, and both 
are supplied with five strong, sharp claws. In its wild state, the 
