THE RACCOON.

PROCYON LOTOR.

There are few parts of the American continent in which the raccoon has not, at some period, been found native, from the borders of Nootka Sound to the forests of Mexico and still more southern regions. Yet, the Count de Buffon asserts that this animal was originally from South America, and is most numerous in hot climates, without giving any fact on which his opinion is founded, or supporting his declaration by the observations of other naturalists. Sonini properly observes that neither Frezier, Ulloa nor Molina, who have given descriptions of the animals of Peru, Brazil and Chili, make any mention of the raccoon; and, in his own long and numerous journeys in Guiana, he never found one among the great number of quadrupeds which hold undisturbed possession of the vast forests by which that interesting region is overshadowed.

But the most positive proof of their existence, in the northern parts of the continent, are to be found in the journals of the most respectable observers. By Dampier they were seen near the southern point of California, in the 22° of north latitude; Bartram found them on the Isle of St. Simon, near the coast of Georgia, in 30° of north latitude, and the celebrated Captain Cook saw them in considerable numbers at Nootka and Prince William's Sound. Most probably, had this enterprising voyager landed still farther north, he would have discovered the raccoon there, as the natives of Prince William Sound were in a great degree clothed with skins of this animal.

Were we to form an opinion of this animal's character solely from external appearances, the mingled expression of sagacity and innocence exhibited in his aspect, his personal neatness and gentle movements, might all incline us to believe that he possessed a guileless and placable disposition. But in this, as in most cases, where judgments are formed without sufficient examination, we should be in error, and find that, to the capricious mischievousness of the monkey, the raccoon adds a bloodthirsty and vindictive spirit pe

24-Fish Com.

culiarly his own. In the wild state this sanguinary appetite frequently leads to his own destruction, which his nocturnal habits might otherwise avert; but as he slaughters the tenants of the poultry yard with indiscriminate ferocity the vengeance of the plundered farmer speedily retaliates on him the death so liberally dealt among the feathered victims. This destructive propensity of the raccoon is more remarkable, when we observe that his teeth are not unsuited for eating fruits. When he destroys wild or domesticated birds, he puts to death a great number without consuming any part of them, except the head, or the blood which is sucked from the neck.

Being peculiarly fond of sweet substance, the raccoon is occasionally very destructive to plantations of sugar cane and of Indian corn. While the ear of the Indian corn is still young, soft and tender, "in the milk," it is very sweet, and is then eagerly sought by the raccoon; troops of them frequently enter fields of maize, and in one night commit extensive depredations, both by the quantity of grain they consume, and from the number of stalks they break down by their weight.

The raccoon is an excellent climber, and his strong, sharp claws effectually secure him from being shaken off the branches of trees. In fact, so tenaciously does this animal hold to any surface upon which it can make an impression with its claws, that it requires considerable exertion of a man's strength to drag him off; and, as long as even a single foot remains attached, he continues to cling with great force. I have had frequent occasions to pull a raccoon from the top of a board fence, where there was no projection which he could seize by; yet, such was the power and obstinacy with which the points of his claws were stuck into the board as repeatedly to oblige me to desist for fear of tearing his skin. The conical form of the head and the very pointed and flexible character of the muzzle or snout are of great importance in aiding the raccoon to examine every vacuity and crevice to which he gains access; nor does he neglect any opportunity of using his natural advantages, but explores every nook and cranny with the most persevering dili

gence and attention, greedily feeding on spiders, worms or other insects which are discovered by the scrutiny. Where the opening is too small to give admittance to his nose, he employs his fore paws, and shifts his position or turns his paws sidewise, in order to facilitate their introduction and effect his purpose. This disposition to feed on the grubs or larvæ of insects must render this animal of considerable utility in forest lands, in consequence of the great numbers of injurious and destructive insects he consumes. He is also said to catch frogs with considerable address, by slyly creeping up, and then springing on them, so as to grasp them with both paws.

Indeed, these animals have never evinced the slightest dislike to cold, or suffered in any degree therefrom. They show no repugnance to being sprinkled or dashed with water, and voluntarily remain exposed to the rain or snow, which wets them thoroughly, notwithstanding their long hair, which, being almost erect, is not well suited to turn the rain.

Captivity and domestication produce great change in the habits of this animal, as he learns to spend nearly the whole of the day in active exercise, and sleeps during the greater part of the night. When inclined to sleep, the raccoon forms itself into a sort of ball, by sitting on its hind legs and doubling the head under the body, so as to apply the forehead to the ground; the tail is then brought forward so as to conceal the feet and face on one side, and the true figure of the animal is no longer discernible. In this position the raccoon sleeps profoundly, and is not startled readily nor by slight sounds.

The size of the raccoon varies with the age and sex of the individual. A full-grown male may be stated to have the body a foot, or a few inches more, in length; the highest part of the back is about a foot from the ground, while the highest part of the shoulder is ten inches. The head is about five and the tail rather more than eight inches long. The female is larger than the male in every respect, at least such is the fact in relation to the raccoons now in my possession, which, however, have not yet attained their full