THE RACCOON. 
457 
“ That was what I asked her. ‘ Oh,’ she 
said, 4 1 gave him what was left of them 
and took care to keep him chained up after 
that. There was no use in quarrelling with 
him.’ ” 
“Well,” said Antoinette, “ I should like 
to have such a disposition. She does not 
look as if any thing could put her out.” 
“She has indeed a most lovely temper,” 
said Miss Winston; “ but she has attained it 
through much painful discipline and many 
trials. 
“ There are two or three varieties of 
raccoons, one of which subsists almost en¬ 
tirely upon crabs and shell-fish. The coatis 
are in many respects similar to the raccoons, 
but have the nose very large and movable, 
which gives them an odd expression of 
countenance. They live principally upon 
trees, but come down to the ground to 
search for earth-worms, which they dig up 
with the snout, rooting like the pig. 
Some species live in families of fifteen or 
sixteen together; others are quite solitary. 
One species has obtained the name of 
guarpi, or merry Andrew, from his ludi¬ 
crously meddling, active, climbing habits 
39 
