344 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Cotoneaster Simonsii ; C. microphylla. 

 Vinca major, periwinkle of sorts. 



Berberis Jamiesoni ; B. Darwinii; B. dulcis ; B. empetrefolia ; 

 B. (Mahonia) aquifoUum. 

 Pernetkja mucronata. 

 Erica carnea; E. muUiflora. 

 GauUheria Shallon. 



IV. — On the Nutria (Mijoptomus coyinis), a South American 

 species of Rodent. By Mr Ernest Gibson, Buenos Ayres, 

 Corresponding Member. 



This Brobdignagian water rat — for such it much resembles — is 

 of so very shy and retiring a disposition, that any observations 

 offered on its habits can only be the result of lengthened study. 

 It is true that wherever there are swamps or water courses it 

 abounds; but, sheltered by high reeds and rushes, and gifted 

 with an acute sense of sight, hearing, and scent, in addition to its 

 natatory powers, an occasional glimpse of one is all that can be 

 had, and that only occasionally. Fortunately, in the locality from 

 which I write, the " caiiadas " (swamps) form in some places a 

 regular network of fen, the home of an innumerable number of 

 water-fowl, from Cycjnus nigricollis down to Regtdus omnicolor, and 

 from having passed many a pleasant hour in my canoe ensconced 

 amongst the reeds, I have naturally had frequent opportunities of 

 watching the Nutria also. But while referring to swamps and 

 water courses as its general habitat, the apparent anomaly of its 

 often being found among the sand-dunes of the coast — sometimes 

 half a league from fresh water — deserves also to be noted, as 

 exemplifying its powers of sustaining life under a total absence of 

 water, and confined entirely to pampas and esparto grass for 

 sustenance — certainly not a very succulent diet. That to a 

 considerable extent it can put up with brackish water is shown 

 by its being also found in a certain district where not only the 

 water courses are salt, being indeed creeks of the sea, but the soil 

 and herbage also. However, as the true fresh-water swamps are 

 its favourite and natural abode, I had best treat of it there, and 

 detail its history at length. 



Born one of a family of four or five, on some deserted water- 

 fowl's nest among the reeds, in the spring months (September 

 and October), it passes the first few days of its existence pretty 



