Bassaris

Bassaris, a genus of Procyonidae, formerly placed with the Civets, with which their structure has little in common. The two species (B. astuta, from the south of the United States and Mexico, and B. sumichrasti, from Central America) are closely allied to the Raccoons, but of slenderer proportions and more elegant form. B. astuta, the caxomixle, is about a yard long, of which the tail is about two-fifths; the fur is brown, and the tail marked with rings. This animal is often kept as a pet by Californian and Mexican miners, and is said to be a good mouser.