142 SKKTCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



themselves in hollow trees, among fallen logs and timber 

 in the forest, and similar places of concealment. Here 

 they produce and rear their young, which are born with 

 the eyes closed : they soon become capable of shifting 

 for themselves. 



The Common Agouti {Dasyprocta aciiti). 



This species is very abundant in Brazil and Guiana, 

 and occurs also in Paraguay, where it was observed by 

 D'Azara, who informs us that the Guarinis term it 

 Cotia : in size it is about equal to a rabbit, but it rarely 

 if ever makes a burrow. It frequents densely-wooded 

 districts in preference to oj)en lands, and generally takes 

 up its residence in the hollow trunks of decayed trees, 

 where it remains concealed during the day. This retreat 

 usually serves for several individuals, for it appears to be 

 gregarious, associating in small troops consisting of 

 eighteen or twenty individuals. Its movements are 

 rapid, active, and abrupt, and when chased it bounds 

 along, like a hare, to gain its accustomed hiding-place: 

 it is, however, seldom seen except during the night, or as 

 evening begins to sink into twilight. (Fig. 91.) 



In Brazil and Guiana the aszouti is exposed to whole- 

 sale destruction for the sake of its flesh, which is said to 

 be intermediate in flavour between the hare and rabbit ; 

 but in Paraguay, according to D'Azara, no one eats it, 

 and M. Moreau St. Mery observes that it has a strange 

 sort of flavour, and is a (fish of little relish to the palate. 

 The latter writer also informs us that the agouti is com- 

 mon in the island of St. Lucia, and also inhabits others 

 of the West India group ; and that in 1788 several were 

 taken in St. Domingo, which had made a hollow tree 

 their domicile. It is said to breed several times in a 

 year, and to produce from three to six at a birth. The 

 general colour of the agouti is grizzled reddish brown, 

 tinged on the neck, chest, and under surface with yellow. 

 The hairs of the ui)per and fore parts of the body are 

 annulated with brown, yellow, and black, wdiich gives 

 the animal a speckled yellow and green appearance on 



