MR, E, T. BENNETT ON THE CHINCHILLID. 37 
by the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega, whose ‘Commentarios Reales’ were published at 
Lisbon in 1609, and who describes the Viscacha as a kind of rabbit, with a long tail 
like that of a cat, inhabiting desert places covered with snow. In the time of the Inca 
monarchs, and for many years afterwards, he says, the natives were in the habit of 
spinning its wool for the preparation of their robes of finer texture, such as were worn 
only by the nobles. Its colour he describes as a light brown mixed with ash-grey ; it 
is soft and smooth, and was held in great estimation'. The greater part of this account 
is almost literally copied by De Laet, in 16332. 
My next authority is Nieremberg, whose very brief notice of the Viscacha® is evi- 
dently copied from Garcilasso, with a glance perhaps at Acosta or Cieca. He adds, 
moreover, a figure (how obtained is not stated) which, though rude, is by no means a 
despicable representation of the animal. It has long narrow pointed ears, and a bushy 
tail; its habit giving the idea of the head and body of a rabbit, with the tail of a fox 
retroverted over the back like that of a squirrel. 
From this period the Peruvian Viscacha seems to have remained unnoticed for nearly 
a century, when it was again observed by Feuillée’, who saw specimens of it domesti- 
cated in the houses at Lima. He speaks of it as a kind of rabbit, usually inhabiting 
the colder parts of the country, of a mouse colour, with a very soft fur, a long tail 
turned upwards, and the ears and moustaches of the European rabbit, from which it 
does not differ in size, while its sitting posture is also similar. In his Preface he 
mentions his intention of figuring the animal, but he has neglected to do so. We 
learn, however, from M. Desmarest*, that his original drawing still exists, in the 
possession of M. Huzard. 
' « Otra differencia de conejos ay que Ilaman Vizcacha, tienen cola larga como gato, crianse en los desiertos 
donde aya nieve, y no les yale que alla van a matarlos. En tiempo de los Reyes Incas, y muchos afios depues 
(que a un yo lo alcance) approvechavan el pelo de la Vizcacha, y lo hilavan de por si, para variar de colores la 
ropa fina que texian. El color que tiene es pardo claro, color de ceniza, y el es de suyo blando y suave, era 
cosa muy estimada entre los Indios, no se echava sino en la ropa de los nobles.” Part I. fol. 216. 
» «Habent et aliam speciem cuniculorum, quam vocant Vizcacha, cauda oblonga instar felis, generantur in 
solitudinibus nivalibus. Sub imperio Yncarum atque adeo postea, villos illorum ducebant in fila, quibus pannos 
nobiles intertexebant elegantie gratia, sunt enim colore pardo diluto vel cinereo, blandique et tenues.””—De- 
scriptio Indie Occidentalis, Lugd. 1633, p. 407. 
3 Viscache contra dicuntur cuniculi genus, quod feles imitetur prolixitate caude. Amant nives, quos ibi 
etiam inquirit gula. Plus olim gratus, in pretio et usu.”—Historia Nature, Antv. 1635, p. 161. 
‘4 “Les Viscachos sont une espéce de Lapins sauvages, qui gitent ordinairement dans les lieux froids. J’en 
vis dans des maisons de Lima, qu’on avait familiariséz; leur poil gris de souris est fort doux: ils ont la queue 
assez longue, retrouss¢e par dessus, les oreilles et la barbe comme celles de nos lapins, ils s’accroupissent comme 
eux, et n’en différent pas en grosseur. Durant le régne des Incas on se servoit du poil des Viscachos pour 
diversifier les couleurs des laines les plus fines: les Indiens en faisoient alors un si grand cas, qu’ils ne les 
emploioient qu’aux étoffes dont les gens de la prémiére qualité s’habilloient.”—Journal des Observations 
Physiques, &c. tom. iii. (1725.) p. 32-3. 
+ Joc. cit. 
