VIZCACHERAS 



are more abundant in generic and specific types than 

 any other existing order of mammals ; and the reason 

 for their abundance and variation may perhaps be sought 

 for in their small size and retiring ways. They skulk, 

 burrow, hide in holes, secrete themselves in leafy 

 retreats, dive under the water, and generally shun obser- 

 vation. Besides the few forms of rodents which will be 

 noticed in the following pages, a good many forms are 

 usually on view in the Zoological Gardens. There are, 

 for instance, commonly to be seen beavers, once, and 

 that within the historic period, a denizen of the British 

 Islands ; squirrels of many kinds, besides the so-called 

 " flying " squirrels with a parachute stretching from arm 

 to leg ; the marmot of the Alps, and that of India ; many 

 rats of diverse kinds ; the South American agouti, 

 and its ally the guinea pig (really Guiana pig) ; the hopping 

 jerboa of the East, so like a small kangaroo, and 

 related Cape jumping hare (Pedetes cafer) ; the little 

 sandy coloured gerbilles and other rat- like creatures. 



THE VIZCACHA 



South America, which fosters the muff-producing 

 chinchilla, also is inhabited by the vizcacha or Lagostomus 

 trichodactylus, a smallish rodent of the same family, 

 Chinchillidae. The tail is long and the colour is dark, 

 agreeably diversified by white patches on the cheeks and 

 below. Unlike the chinchilla, the vizcacha dwells on 

 the Pampas, and constructs there burrows in the soil, 

 which are associated in number to form veritable cities, 

 the so-called " vizcacheras." Like many of the cur- 

 sorial rodents, the Lagostomus has its toes reduced to 

 four on each front limb, and three on each hind limb. 

 The underground cities which the vizcachas build and 

 inhabit, consist of many burrows which intercommuni- 

 cate, so that if an enemy enters by one door the viz- 

 cacha can bolt by another, like a pickpocket through 



120 



