578 THE SOOTY PACA. 
The hair of this part of the body is a bright golden-brown, but on the back and sides the 
fur has a curious speckled aspect, on account of the black, brown, and yellow tints with 
which each hair is marked. On the greater part of the body the fur is only about one 
inch in length, but the golden-brown hair of the hinder parts is more than four inches long. 
In character it is coarse, though glossy. 
Though all the species are furnished with powerful claws, the Agcuti is incapable of 
climbing trees or digging burrows. It is said to have some idea of laying up provisions, 
and to hide any superabundance of food in some place of concealment. In size it 
exceeds the common rabbit, but does not equal the hare. 
BETWEEN the agoutis and the pacas is placed the MARA, or Patagonian Cavy, as it is 
sometimes called, an animal which is remarkably swift for a short distance, but is so 
easily fatigued that it can be run down by a man on horseback. It is more tameable 
than the agouti, and is often kept in a state of domestication, being permitted to range 
the house and premises at will. It is generally found in couples, a male and his mate 
occupying the same “form.” It does not seem to burrow, nor to keep so close to its 
retreat as the agouti, but is fond of crouching in a form hke our common hare. It is about 
thirty inches in leneth, and about nineteen inches high at the crupper, which is the most 
elevated part of the animal. At the shoulder it hardly exceeds sixteen inches. The fur 
of this animal is soft and warm, and from the contrasting colours of black, white, and 
golden-brown, presents a very handsome appearance. Its scientific title is Dolichdtis 
Patachénicus. 
SOOTY PACA.—Celdgenys Paca. 
The Pacas are remarkable for the extraordinary development of a portion of the skull, 
which gives to the entire head a very singular aspect. The cheekbone is enormously 
developed into a large, expanded mass of bone, concave and very rough on the exterior, 
and smooth and concave interiorly. This enlarged bone is so enormous that its lower 
edge descends below the lower jawbone, and hides a considerable portion of it. Closely 
connected with this curious structure is a cheek-pouch, for which no use has hitherto been 
discovered. There are also two large cheek-pouches which open into the mouth, and 
extend past the jaws into the neck. In consequence of this formation, the name of 
Ceelégenys, or “ Hollow-cheek,” has been given to this genus. 
The Pacas inhabit Southern America, being mostly, if not entirely, restricted to the 
ee portions ef that country, and have also been found in some of the West Indian 
islands. 
