xxKvii 
C A.BNIVOBA. MAMMALIA. Carnivoba. 
series of the species is seen in the cabinets of the 
American Museum at Central Park, N. Y., and 
living ones in the Gardens of the Zoological De- 
partment. In general habits the Naricas resemble 
the Eaccoons; they climb well, and have the same 
diet. Their snout, so remarkably produced, is useful 
in rooting the ground, and no doubt they pro- 
cure insects and other food with as much facility as 
the Hog with a similar organ. The Ooatis have a curi- 
ous set of tubercles on the surface of the feet, which 
are quite characteristic. They are nocturnal in habit, 
confining themselves a good deal among the branches 
of trees, where they rob the nests of birds ; though 
they resort, as we have seen, to the ground, when they 
are obliged to “ root, or die.” Though becoming a 
safe and interesting pet, when kept in confinement, it 
proves a formidable enemy when opposed in its wild 
state. Several species of this genus have been re- 
corded : the N. monticola of Peru, by I'schudi and 
N. socialis of Prince Maximilian, which is the N. 
rufa of Desm, annulata of the same, and striata of Shaw. 
This is the Coati of Mexico and South America, 
the Nasua solitaria of Maximilian, and nocturna of the 
same author. Is found in Guiana, Brazil and Bogota. 
Procyon. — Storr. 
The generic characters of Procyon include a pointed 
muzzle, short and oval ears, long and bushy tail. 
They have five toes, and strong, non-retractile claws. 
The feet have naked soles. In walking they rest 
upon the toes, but drop down on the heel when stand- 
ing. The mammae are ventral, six in number. A 
gland on each side of the anus secretes a disagreeable 
fluid. Linnaeus placed the Eaccoon with the Bears, 
on account of its plantigrade feet. The body is 
densely clothed with two kinds of hairs — the outer 
long and coarse, the inner more soft and like wool. 
THE EACCOON {Procyon lotor, Storr.) — Plate 11, 
fig. 37. — The Eaccoon is too commonly known to re- 
quire a detailed descriptive account of its parts. Its 
geographical range is very large, being found in every 
portion of North America, as high as 60° North, on 
the Pacific side. Lewis and Clark saw it on the 
Columbia Eiver, and it has been found in Northern 
California. Its southern limits are not so well 
known. In Paraguay, specimens have been obtained. 
Its habits are mostly nocturnal. Though it eats 
animal food, it seems to prefer vegetable. It is cre- 
dited with the habit of washing or soaking its 
food in water whenever it is possible to do so, and 
for this it has received its specific name lotor, or 
washer. The German naturalists term it wasch-bar. 
or Washing Bear. The body of the Eaccoon measures 
about two feet, exclusive of the tail ; the limbs are 
short and narrow ; the tail is about' ten inches in 
length. The fur is used in the manufactures, some- 
times for hats. Though classed with the plantigrade 
or palm-walking animals, it steps on its toes, or 
rather, the heel is elevated when it walks, while the 
true plantigrade puts the whole palm down. 
Coon hunting is one of the much-prized sports of 
the Southern States, especially with the negroes. 
An experienced Dog is set upon the trail, and, after a 
chase, the Coon is “ treed.” A blazing fire is then 
made of pine chips, directly under the tree, which 
illuminates its branches, rendering all quite visible. 
One then climbs the tree, and dislodges the creature. 
Audubon delights in a description of a Coon hunt, 
and adds : “ It would be a good scene for a skilful 
painter. The woods present a wonderfully pictur- 
esque appearance on such an occasion.” 
The Eaccoon is exceedingly dextrous with its fore- 
feet, and, when tame, follows its keeper with the same 
constancy as the Dog or Cat. It ascends trees read- 
ily, and is often tempted aloft for the dainty prize of 
a nest of eggs. It watches Turtles as they lay, de- 
spoiling their nests, adroitly uncovering the eggs in 
the sand. Its favorite resorts are retired swampy 
lands, well covered with lofty trees. The young at 
birth are very small , six in number, brought forth 
early in May. A hole in a rotten tree is preferred for 
its nest. In the Southern States, the banks of 
the streams near salt water are lined with a small 
oyster, which is so sought after by the Coon that it 
has received the name Eaccoon Oyster. The Eac- 
coon hybernates, as the Bear does, for several months. 
It is sometimes called Mapach, though the term 
Coon is a more thoroughly universal one. The gen- 
eric name Procyon is from the Greek — before the Dog ; 
its literal meaning indicates the relative position of 
the two members of the Garnivora. 
BLACK-EOOTED EACCOON {Procyon hernandezii, 
Wagler). — This in general appearance resembles the 
P. lotof. In size it exceeds it. The feet are larger 
and stouter, and the bare portion of the palms ex- 
tend further up the wrist. I'he tail is longer and thin- 
ner, and tapers slightly at the tip. The black rings are 
narrower and better defined ; only the terminal three 
or four encircle the tail completely. The range of this 
Eaccoon is from the Eio Grande of Texas, west to 
the Pacific, as far as Cape Flattery, near Puget’s 
Sound. Another specimen is described, under the 
variety name mexicana. 'I'he general markings are 
said to be much like those of the preceding, but the 
color is lighter, the long hairs being tipped with dark 
reddish-brown, instead of black. The feet are whitish 
above, the hinder ones with a tinge of chestnut on 
their outer portion. The tail has six distinct annula- 
tions of purplish-chestnut, besides the tip ; the inter- 
vals rusty-whitish, a little larger than the dark 
rings. 
THE PSOKA, OE CAIIFOENIA COON {Procyon 
psora, Gray) — During the voyage of the British cor- 
vette Sulphur, Sir Edward Belcher procured this 
species on the Coast of California. Prof. Gray de- 
scribed it in the Annals and Magazine of Nat. Hist., 
London (1842), giving it the present name. It is 
recorded as having a “ tail reduced to stump.” The 
figure given of this particular specimen in the 
Voyage of the Sulphur, is evidently made from 
memory, or possibly was drawn by an unskilled hand, 
as its form is quite unlike that of specimens since ob- 
tained, and the coloring does not correspond to de- 
scriptions made from the actual object. A good 
specimen, now in the American Museum, Central 
Park, N. Y., shows the tail about fifteen inches in 
