RACCOON. 79 
we have received nearly the same history of the cunning mancEuvres 
and sly tricks of the Raccoon in procuring food. 
We add the folio A'ing notes on a Raccoon kept for a considerable time 
in a tame state or partially domesticated. 
When it first came into our possession it was about one-third grown. 
By kind treatment it soon became very docile, but from its well known 
mischievous propensities we always kept it chained. 
It was truly omnivorous : never refusing any thing eatable, vegetable 
or animal, cooked or uncooked, all was devoured with equal avidity. Of 
some articles however it seemed particularly fond : as sugar, honey, chest- 
nuts, fish and poultry. The animal would become almost frantic when 
either of the two first wms placed near it, but beyond its reach. No 
means would be left untried to obtain the dainty morsel. It would rush 
forward as far as the chain permitted, and stretch out a fore-paw toward 
the object of its wishes to its utmost extent, which failing to reach it, the 
other was extended ; again disappointed, the hind limbs were tried in suc- 
cession, by which there was a nearer approach to the food, on account 
of the animal being chained by the neck. 
On being offered food when hungry, or roused up suddenly from any 
cause, or when in active play, the eye was of a lustrous green, changing 
apparently the whole countenance. 
It had a strong propensity to roll food and other things under its paws ; 
segars in particular, especially when lighted. We have observed a simi- 
lar propensity in young bears. 
On placing a pail of water within its reach, it ran to it, and after drink- 
ing would examine the contents to the bottom with the fore-paws, seeming- 
ly expecting to find some fish or frog. If any thing was found it was 
speedily brought to the surface and scrutinized. We have seen it throw 
chips, bits of china and pebbles, &c., into the pail, and then fish them out 
for amusement, but never saw it put a particle of its food in to soak, ex- 
cept in a few instances when it threw in hard corn, but we do not think 
it was for this purpose. 
After playing for a short time in the water it would commonly urinate 
in it and then upset the pail. 
We gave it a fish weighing two pounds. The Raccoon turned it in all di- 
rections in search of a convenient point of attack. The mouth, nose, fins, 
vent, &c., were tri ed. At length an opening was made at the vent, into which 
a paw was deeply inserted ; the intestines were withdrawn and eaten with 
avidity. At the same time an attempt was made to insert the other paw into 
the mouth of the fish to meet its fellow. This disposition to use the paws in 
concert, was shown in almost every action, sometimes in a very ludicrous 
