bassaris

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The typical-genus of the family Bassarididæ (which see). B. astuta is the type-species, inhabiting the southwestern United States and Mexico, where it is called mountain-cat and cacomixl. It is a pretty and intelligent creature, about as large as a cat, resembling the racoon in some respects, but slenderer, and with a long furry tail marked with black and white rings, as in the common lemur. It is frequently tamed, and makes an interesting pet. Also called Bassariscus.
2. n. An animal of this genus: as, the ring-tailed bassaris. Also called bassarisk.
3. n. A genus of lepidopterous insects.