New Genus of Mannnalia called Hydromis. 333 



great number of skins which I examined ; and on the other, 

 because M. d'Azzara has expressly told us that the female 

 is entirely similar to the male. 



Molina and d'Azzara agree in regard to the mild qualities 

 bv which the coypou is distinguislied. It eats every thing 

 given to it, and seems to attach itself to those who take care 

 of it. It may be easily tamed, and soon becomes accus- 

 tomed to the stale of domesticity. It is never heard to cry- 

 but when harshly used ; it then emits a piercing cry. The 

 female produces five voung, which she always carries with 

 her. 



The coypoii is very common in the provinces of Chili, 

 Buenos-Ayrcs, and Tucuman. On the other hand, it is 

 rarely found in Paraguay. 



2d. The yellou'-beUitid Hydromis. — This species is nearly 

 half as small as the coypou. The length of its body is one 

 foot, and that of the tail two inches six lines. 



Its long hair is not sensibly distinguished from the felt ; 

 it is proportionally shorter and finer, which renders the fur 

 of this hydromis more valuable than that of the coypou : 

 there are' few furs thicker, or softer to the touch. The hair 

 in its apparent part is above of a chestnut brown, and below 

 of a most beautiful orange colour. At the root it is ash- 

 coloured, and gray under the belly. The tail is entirely 

 covered with ve'ry short and stiff hair: towards the root it 

 is pretty large, and well furnished with hair: in three- 

 fourths of its length its colour is the same as that of the 

 back ; but in the other fourth, towards the point, it is of a 

 very pure white. The membrane which Incloses the toes of 

 this second species is not so extensive as in the coypou ; its 

 interior cut is a little deeper. 



This animal was killed by a sailor in one of the islands 

 which form d'Entrecasteaux's channel, at the moment 

 when about to shelter itself beneath a heap of stones : it 

 was preserved to us bv the care of M. Lcvillain, one of the 

 zoologists on the expedition to the austral lands. 



3d. The tohiU'-l'c/lied Hydromis. — This species has a 

 great resemblance to the preceding, and is of the same size. 

 Its head, however, is a little longer, and its fur not so fine, 

 and less soft to the touch. The hind-feet are only half 

 pahnatcd ; its hair is brown above, and dirty white below. 

 The tail is also terminated with white, but fur a more con- 

 siderable extent : the white part forms a little more than a 

 t'tiird of the whole length. 



Four individuals of the white-bellied Hydromis were 

 transmitted to us, all of which had a great resemblance to 



Vol. 22. No. 68. Sfpt. 1&U3. Y each 



