February 10, 1846. 

 R. C. Griffith, Esq., in the Chair. 



The following letter was read, addressed to G. R. Waterhouse, 

 Esq., by the Society's Corresponding Member ITiomas Bridges, 

 Esq. : — 



" I am much delighted to learn that several of the little Rodents 

 I sent from Chile previous to my departure proved new, and I thank 

 you sincerely for the honour you have done me by affixing my name 

 to the new Octodon. I now ■with pleasure give you its habitat. 

 Many years ago I found this species inhabiting holes in sandy banks 

 and hUlocks near the borders of the river Jeno, in the province of 

 Colchagiia, nor do I remember having found it in any other locality 

 in Chile, It is much less abundant than O. Cumingii, but, likę that 

 species, it feeds on herbs and dried grass. In the ^vinter months I 

 have observed it eats the bark of Mimosa Cavenia, which abounds in 

 that part of Chile. Of this species, on my retum to ChUe, I shall 

 endeavour to procure other specimens ; also a skeleton and cranium 

 for your inspection. Likę O. Cumingii, it makes its appearance and 

 feeds during the day, especially when the weather is cloudy. 



" The Lagotis Cuvieri of Bennett, of which I sent beautiful speci- 

 mens, vėre captured on the westem side of the Andes, in the province 

 of Colchagua. This animal I have also found in great abundance in 

 Bolivia ; you would be delighted to see it in its native country. It 

 abounds in bold, rocky and steep precipices, and sometimes on the 

 slopes amongst large stones tumbled one on the other, amongst the 

 crevices of which it takes shelter. I have never yet seen it make caves 

 or burrows. It is highly amusing to see it bound from one huge 

 block to another, taking leaps equal almost to those of the squirrel ; 

 this it accomplishes from the structure of its hind legs and the assist- 

 ance of its tail. On examining several females lately, I find that 

 they only produce one or two at a birth. Their food is coarse grass. 

 It appears that this animal has an immense mountainous range from 

 lat. 33° to 18°, and probably is found much further north and south. I 

 have found it often from 10,000 to 12,000 feet of elevation in Bolivia. 

 If not mistaken, I have discovered in my rambles from Cobija to this 

 place, a distance of 900 miles, another species of Lagotis*. It is 

 somevvhat less in size, more compact, with a shorter tail, and the 

 fur is of a rūsty colour, especially that of the flanks and abdomen ; 

 nor is the dark Une over the vertebra so well-marked as in Z. Cuvieri. 

 When you possess the skins you will be better able to discover if it 

 is a distinct species. 



* I did not perceive any other species of Lagotis beyond the L. Cuvieri in Mr. 

 Bridges' coUection. — G. R. 'VV. 



No. CLVI. — Proceedings of the Zoological Societt. 



