RODENTIA : LEPORID/E. 79 



America and adjacent islands, where they seem to take 

 the place of hares and rabbits, which in general appear- 

 ance they much resemble. Ccelogcnys, comprising the 

 Pacas, is a closely related genus, also of South America. 



The Genus DolicJwtis comprises the Patagonian Cavy, 

 weighing about twenty pounds, and resembling a hare. 



The Genus Chinchilla Chinchillas and closely al- 

 lied genera inhabit the mountain regions of Chili and 

 Peru. Chinchillas are scarcely larger than rats, with a 

 short tail, and are covered with ashen-colored fur of the 

 finest and softest quality, which is extensively used. 



The Genus Cavia Cobayes or Guinea Pigs com- 

 prises animals which in general appearance are minia- 

 tures of the next genus, except in their separate toes. 



The Common Guinea Pig, C. cobaia, Pallas, is indige- 

 nous to South America, but is now found also in a do- 

 mestic state in all parts of the world. It is in no way 

 related to the pig. The head and nose resemble those 

 of a hare, and the eyes are large and round. It is said 

 that rats will not stay in houses where these animals are. 



The Genus Hydrochcerus is characterized by large size, 

 four toes before and three behind, and all armed with 

 large nails and united by membranes. 



The Capybara, H. capybara, Cuv., of South America, is 

 the largest known Rodent, being three feet long, and ex- 

 ceedingly bulky. Its muzzle is thick, limbs short, hair 

 coarse, and tail almost wholly wanting, and the general 

 color yellowish-brown. It is aquatic in its habits, is 

 hunted as game, and its flesh is quite good for food. 



LEPORID^E, OR HARE FAMILY. This Family is dis- 

 tinguished from all other Rodents, not only by many 

 external characters, but especially by the upper incisors, 

 which are double, each principal incisor having a smaller 

 one behind it. The dental formula is, incisors -, molars 



6-6 



- or 5 - . All the incisors are less deeply implanted in 



