THE TRADING-RAT. 835 



Another writer upon Chili, in 1824, speaks of the same animal and 

 calls it a woolly field-mouse, which lives underground, and chiefly feeds 

 on wild onions, saying that its fine fur is well known in Europe ; that 

 that which comes from Upper Peru is rougher and larger than that 

 from Chili, but not always so beautiful in color. Still another writer, 

 speaking of the same, calls it chinchilla ; says that it usually sits upon 

 its haunches, and is even able to raise itself up and stand upon its 

 hinder feet ; that it feeds in a sitting posture, grasping its food and 

 carrying it to its mouth by means of its fore-paws, and adds, " The 

 ancient Peruvians were a very industrious people, and they made of 

 this fur wool coverlets for beds and valuable stuffs." A lady, who 

 was presented with a living specimen from Peru, kept it for many 

 months, feeding it upon hay, clover, and succulent roots. She then 

 presented it to a zoological society, with the information that her pet 

 was good-tempered, mild in its disposition, and, when allowed to run 

 about the room, very tame and playful, delighting in feats of agility, 

 often leaping to the height of the table. 



These descriptions, written many years ago, with others at hand not 

 necessary to repeat, apply well to the trade-rat of the Rocky Mount- 

 ains, save that they do not mention the creature's curious habit of 

 barter. 



I have already spoken of their great strength and celerity of move- 

 ments. To an observer these traits are a never-failing surprise. If a 

 light is steadily burning and all is quiet, they are easily watched, 

 darting back and forth, carrying goods each way round trip, so to 

 speak, and often long trips. I have known them to bring nails, bits 

 of iron, screws, and other things left about the sheds, quite a distance 

 to the house, place them on shelves, boxes, or kegs, just as they fan- 

 cied, but all in some selected spot, carrying back from cellar and store- 

 house dried prunes, apples, rice, and all kinds of eatables. If, working 

 in the dark, the drawing of a match, a slight noise, or sudden light 

 will cause them to vanish like a flash. 



They seem, too, to have a fancy for certain colors, particularly 

 bright red, and will soon make away with garments of this color, and 

 attach them to their nests. There may be something attractive in 

 the dye, but, knowing their partiality for glittering, shining objects, I 

 am inclined to think they have also an eye for color. 



With all their curious and often annoying tricks, they are wonder- 

 fully ingenious and persevering, and certainly possess the attributes of 

 a good business man in their energy, industry, foresight, and a desire 

 to make provision against a time of need. 



