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THE STORY OF THE RACCOON. 
tinguished by its superior dimensions and its much shorter fur. It is found 
typically from Panama to Colombia and Guiana; but the raccoons found 
further south, and extending through Brazil to Paraguay, are entitled to 
rank as a distinct species, on account of their darker feet. They are com¬ 
monly known as black-footed raccoons. 
The coatis, or long nosed raccoons, are easily recognized by their long 
snouts, which are naked at the tip and which the animal moves up and down 
like a piece of rubber. Its claws are longer and stouter than those of the 
common raccoon. The white-nose coati is found in Mexico and Central 
America; the second species, the red coati, is found in South America from 
COMMON RACCOON. 
Surinam to Paraguay. They usually go about in small troops of from ten 
to twenty. 
The raccoon is one of the most valuable of the fur-bearing animals of 
North America, and is consequently much persecuted. Raccoon! skins were 
formerly used as a recognized circulating medium in the States of the Mis¬ 
sissippi Valley, and were usually valued at 25 cents apiece. 
The raccoon may be easily caught in steel traps; but it is essential that 
these should be set under water near the margins of swamps or streams. 
The more sporting method is, however, to hunt these animals at night with 
specially-trained dogs, which are usually a breed of fox-hounds. 
