THE GROUND PIG. 



GENUS MYOPOTAMUS. 



723- 



The COYPU, Myopotannis coypu (Plate LVIII), the only species, greatly 

 resembles the beaver. It is about the same size, and has palmated feet, 

 but its tail is cylindrical and scaly. It is common in Chili and La Plata, 

 and is also, though more rarely, found in Brazil and the other states of 

 South America, where the natives incessantly persecute it on account of 

 its valuable fur. As it- remains in its burrow during the day, it is hunted 

 at night with dogs. Some time ago the exportation of Coypu skins was 

 carried on very extensively. 



The color of the Coypu is a light reddish-brown. It is agile and 

 lively, and very amusing in its behavior. If anything is thrown into its 

 trough, it takes it up in its fore-feet, and washes it with the skill of a 

 laundress. It lives on the banks of streams and lakes where the water- 

 plants are large enough to hide it. It dives badly, but swims well. It 

 walks slowly, owing to its shortness of limb, and only ventures on land 

 when passing from one stream to another. 



GENUS AULACODES. 



The Ground Pig, Aulacodcs szuindcriamis, is the only species of this 

 African genus. It is one of the links between the beavers and the por- 

 cupines, and has a considerable affinity with the latter animals. 



It is found in many parts of Southern Africa, as well as on the coast 

 of Guinea, where it is not at all uncommon. The hair of this animal is 

 rather peculiar, and approximates closely to the quill-hairs of the true 

 porcupines, being either flat and grooved above, or developed into flexile 

 spines. The tail is but sparsely covered with hair, and is rather short in 

 proportion to the size of its owner. The hinder feet are only furnished 

 with four toes, armed with large, rounded, and rather blunt claws. The 

 ears are short and rounded. 



The Porcupines are divided into two families. The Tree Porcupines, 

 or CercolabiD/E, a group of three genera entirely confined to America, 

 where they range from the northern limit of trees on the Mackenzie 

 River to the southern forests of Paraguay. They are absent from the 

 Southern United States. The True Porcupines, or HvSTRiciDyE, also 

 have three genera, and are confined to the Eastern Hemisphere. 



