MAMMALIA — CAVY. 



263 



and conducts the smoke in such a manner that it fills the whole cavity. 

 While this is doing, the poor little animal seems sensible of its danger, 

 begs for quarter with a most plaintive cry, but seldom quits its hole till the 

 utmost extremity. 



The agouti seems to be a native of the south parts of America; nor is it 

 at all known in the Old Continent. It is, however, very common in Brazil, 

 Guiana, St Domingo, and all the islands around. To the cold and tempe- 

 rate regions of America this animal is a stranger. 



THE PACA, OR SPOTTED CAVY' 



Is an animal of the New World, who digs a burrow like a rabbit, to which 

 he has been compared, though there is scarcely any likeness between these 

 two animals ; he is much larger than the rabbit, and even than the hare ; 

 he has a round head, and the snout short; he is fat and bulky, and by the 

 form of his body he is more like a pig, as well as by grunting, waddling, 

 and the manner of eating; for he does not use, as the rabbit does, his fore 

 feet to carry food to his mouth ; but grubs up the earth like the hog, to find 

 his subsistence. The color of the back is dark brown, or liver colored ; but 

 is lighter on the sides, which are beautifully marked with lines of white 

 spots, running in parallel directions from its throat to its rump; those on the 

 upper part of the body are perfectly distinct ; the belly is white. Its head 

 is large ; its ears short and naked ; its eyes full, and placed high in its head, 

 near the ears; it has two strong yellow cutting teeth in each jaw; its 

 mouth is small; its upper lip divided ; and it has long whiskers on its lips, 



1 Cmlogenys sobriger, Desm. The genus Ccclogenys has two upper and two lower 

 incisors ; no canines ; eight upper and eight lower molars. Five toes on all the feet; the 

 external and internal toe behind being nearly rudimentary ; nails conical, strong, for 

 digging; cheek pouches; a naked tubercle in place of a tail; two pectoral and two 

 inguinal marams. 



