67 
in the annuli of tue tail is nearly corn-colored throughout. The under- 
fur is of a’light, sooty tinge, growing much darker on the hind legs. 
The ears are grayish-white. The result of the sub-terminal whitish 
annulation of the hairsis a light gray, which is the prevailing color. 
The under parts are a similar gray, without the tips; here, as in the rest 
of the body, the dull-brown under-fur shows through. The intervals 
between the black rings of the tail are grayish-white; they are usually 
a trifle wider than the black rings. The tail is uniform (about 23 to 3 
inches); the end rounded. bea 
Distribution and Habiis—This well known animal is abundant in the 
eastern United States, and has been observed in Colorado. It is common in 
Ohio, usually found in the vicinity of water. It is said to be an expert at 
catching crayfish and minnows. It is very destructive to green corn, 
especially the sweet varieties. When once “treed,” they are readily 
taken—if in holes, by a wire hook driven into a long pole and thrust 
down to the bottom of the nest. In their blind rage they seize the 
hook and are easily drawn out, thrown to the ground, and dispatched. 
The animal is often domesticated; but they make rather savage and 
treacherous pets, stealing chickens that venture near their chain. 
A western form takes its place on the Pacific coast, P. hernandezi, Wag- 
ler, the California or Black-footed Raccoon. | 
ORDER UNGULATA. 
SUB-ORDER ARTIODACTYLA. 
Toes paired; the third and fourth sub-equal and exserted; fifth and 
second about equal in size and position, and developed or atrophied in 
nearly equal degree ; dorso-lumbar vertebree usually ninetcen ; intermax- 
illaries flattened toward the symphysis; incisors, when present, diverging 
toward their roots; stomach more or less subdivided or complex; caecum 
comparatively small and simple. 3 ; 
FAMILIES OF ARTIODACTYLA. 
Molars with two double crescentiform folds, with the convex surfaces internal; canines 
resembling and parallel with incisors (different in Camelide); digestive system 
adapted for rumination; stomach quadripartite; axis with odontoid process like a 
spout or hollow half-cylinder, and with a sharp, prominent semi-circular rim. 
(Flower.) (Pecora; or Ruminaniia.) 
Hind limbs with femur inclosed within the integument; incisors deciduous from 
upper jaw, persistent in lower; cervical vertebra normal (not elongated as in 
Giraffide) ; hinder limbs longer than fore limbs. 
a. Horns persistent (common to both sexes), and developed as sheaths of true 
‘‘horn” on osseous cores originating from the frontal bones. Bovipz. 
aa. Horns solid, deciduous, peculiar to the rutting season, not encased in horn, 
more or less branched; usually wanting in females, . . CERVID&. 
