-meat;" and of course claimed their share. None of the rest
of the party had any relish for such a fox-like carcass.

After supper, cooney was honoured with a description, and for many of
the facts of his history we are indebted to Jake himself.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE 'COON, AND HIS HABITS.

Foremost of all the wild creatures of America in point of being
generally known is the raccoon (_Procyon lotor_). None has a wider
geographical distribution, as its "range" embraces the entire Continent,
from the Polar Sea to Terra del Fuego. Some naturalists have denied
that it is found in South America. This denial is founded on the fact,
that neither Ulloa nor Molina have spoken of it. But how many other
animals have these crude naturalists omitted to describe? We may safely
assert that the raccoon exists in South America, as well in the tropical
forests of Guyana as in the colder regions of the Table Land--everywhere
that there exists tree-timber. In most parts where the Spanish language
is spoken, it is known as the "_zorro negro_," or black fox. Indeed,
there are two species in South America, the common one (_Procyon
lotor_), and the crab-eater (_Procyon cancrivorus_).

In North America it is one of the most common of wild animals. In all
parts you may meet with it. In the hot lowlands of Louisiana--in the
tropical "chapparals" of Mexico--in the snowy regions of Canada--and in
the vernal valleys of California. Unlike the deer, the wild cat, and
the wolverine, it is never mistaken for any other animal, nor is any
animal taken for it. It is as well-known in America as the red fox is
in England, and with a somewhat similar reputation.

Although there is a variety in colour and size, there is no ambiguity
about species or genus. Wherever the English language is spoken, it has
but one name, the "raccoon." In America, every man, woman and child
knows the "sly ole 'coon."

This animal has been placed by naturalists in the family _Ursidae_,
genus _Procyon_. Linnaeus made it a _bear_, and classed it with
_Ursus_. It has, in our opinion, but little in common with the bear,
and far more resembles the fox. Hence the Spanish name of "_zorro
negro_" (black fox).

A writer quaintly describes it thus:--"The limbs of a bear, the body of
a badger, the head of a fox, the nose of a dog, the tail of a cat, and
sharp claws, by which it climbs trees like a monkey." We cannot admit
the similarity of its tail to that of a