26 
The Common Raccoon ( Procyon lotor ). A number of 
these amusing little animals are in a cage close by the condor. 
They resemble in diet, and in many points of structure, the 
bears, and have been placed by some systematists as a sub¬ 
family of the group. They are generally classed, however, 
as a separate family, Procyonidce , of carnivores. Their range is 
almost universal through the United States, from the latitude 
of Massachusetts southward. They are subject to consider¬ 
able variation in color—albinos being not uncommon. One 
specimen in the collection, from Alabama, is of an orange- 
yellow, shading into a deeper hue on those parts where the 
animal is normally black. They are easily tamed, and make 
playful pets. One which became very tame in the Garden was 
noticeable for the dexterity with which it made use of its 
paws—its first act on mounting into any person’s lap being to 
explore all his pockets, bringing to light and carefully examin¬ 
ing everything which they contained. 
No. 28.—THE SEAL TANK. 
The seals are a large family of carnivorous mammals, living 
mainly in the water, but at stated periods during the year 
leaving their natural element and remaining for several 
months above the water line. The Society has exhibited sev¬ 
eral species of these interesting animals. 
The Common Seal (. Phoca vitulina ) is found in all the seas 
encircling northern Europe, Asia, and America, rarely being 
found on our coast below Maine. It may be taken as a fair 
type of the Phocidce , or Earless Seals, of which it is about the 
smallest. Those in the collection are from Nova Scotia, and 
were brought to the Garden when only a few weeks old. 
Like all the seals, they live on fish, which, in a state of nature, 
they catch for themselves with great address. (For other 
members of the seal family, see page 39.) 
Along the walk from the Seal Tank to the Eagle Aviary are 
a number of cages containing birds and small mammals. 
The American Otter (. Lutra canadensis ) has a general 
range throughout North America, though to a less extent 
and in fewer numbers than formerly, owing to the great de¬ 
mand for the beautiful fur obtained from them. Like their 
relative, the Brown Mink ( Putorius vison ), they are largely 
