CARNIVORA. 
247 
THE RACCOONS. 
The following species of plantigrades are arranged 
by modern writers in the genus raccoon (^procyon^ 
Cu.) They have three pointed, distinct, anterior 
cheek-teeth, and three posterior, which are flattened ; 
the whole forming a continued series, different from 
those already described, in which the first three are 
insignificant, and may almost be called deciduous. 
They differ, also, from the bears in having a long 
tail; and all the teats are ventral^. These in run- 
ning do not bring the heel into complete contact 
with the ground, but they do so when standing. 
THE RACCOON. LE RATON. 
Ursus Lotor. L. 
This animal is named by Linnaeus from a habit 
peculiar to it of plunging whatever it is about to 
eat, if possible, into water, and then rolling it for a 
time between its paws. The body is generally about 
two feet long, and the tail about half this length. It 
is subject to vary in colour, from that represented in 
* The genus ursus has two pectoral and four ventral teats. 
