Zoological Society. 4.27 



which he had heen favoured, in a letter from Mr. Thomas Bridges, 

 Corr. Memb., who had formed the collection. 



" The specimens," Mr. Waterhouse observed, " contained two 

 species of foxes, both of which were quite distinct from the Cams 

 fulvipes from Chiloe. The one approaches most nearly to the Canis 

 Magellanicus, and might possibly be a variety of that animal, differ- 

 ing in having a more slender appearance ; but this arises perhaps 

 entirely from its fur being shorter, a difference which would probably 

 arise from dissimilarity of climate, the C. Magellanicus being from a 

 colder, and humid part of South America. The Chile animal, in 

 having a more slender appearance, approaches considerably to the 

 Canis Azarce ; from this however it may be distinguished by the 

 absence of the black on the chin, in having the ears of a deeper and 

 richer rust-colour, and there is the same difference observable in the 

 colouring of the legs. The hind-legs want the black patch, which 

 is situated considerably above the heel, and is very conspicuous in 

 C. Azarcc. The tail is longer and of a brilliant rust-colour be- 

 neath ; in C. Azarce it is pale in the same part. This, according to 

 Mr. Bridges, is the Culpeo of the natives, and is no doubt the animal 

 so called by Molina. 



'* The second species of fox of the collection Mr. Waterhouse re- 

 gards as the Canis Azarce. It is smaller, Mr. Bridges observes, than 

 the Culpeo, and less common and mischievous ; more shy in its man- 

 ners, and, according to his observations, confines itself more to the 

 lower parts of the country, inhabiting the provinces of Valparaiso, 

 Aconcagua, and Colchagua, where it is abundant. It is well known 

 to the natives under the name of ' Chilla.' 



*' The following species of Rodents were also contained in the col- 

 lection, viz. Myopotamus coy pus, Poephagomys ater, Octodon Cumingii, 

 Mus Darwinii, Mus megalonyx (a new species, the characters of which 

 Mr. Waterhouse pointed out), and the Mountain Viscacha (Lagotis 

 Cuvieri, Bennett). Several specimens of this last-mentioned animal 

 were procured by Mr. Bridges on the Chile side of the Andes, and 

 upon comparison they prove to be specifically identical with an indi- 

 vidual formerly sent by the same gentleman and which was found in 

 the vicinity of Mendoza. The Viscacha, Mr. Bridges' notes state, 

 * confines itself to the elevated parts of the Andes, always inhabiting 

 rugged and precipitous mountains where there are natural caves or 

 immense stones rolled in confusion, amongst which it makes its 

 abode.* It has a very extended range, he having found it in Bolivia 

 in south lat. 20° to 22°, whilst the specimens laid before the Meeting 

 were from the province of Aconcagua, near * Los ojos de Agua.' 

 Mr. Bridges further remarks that it seldom leaves its abode during 

 the daytime, but comes out to feed upon the herbage either before 

 sunrise or late in the evening. 



" Several specimens of Didelphis elegans were also sent home by 

 Mr. Bridges, who states that they were procured for him by the na- 

 tives in the province of Aconcagua, where they were caught in traps 

 baited with meat, and which were placed for that purpose in the 

 vicinity of old hedges and vineyards. Mr. Bridges also calls atten- 



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