1342 



THE RODENTS 



number, and are characterized by their terrestrial habits, elongated hind-limbs, long- 

 bushy tails, and extremely soft fur. Internally they have complete clavicles; their 

 molar teeth are divided into a series of parallel transverse plates by the extension of 

 the folds of enamel completely across their crown; and the incisors are remarkable 

 for their shortness. In the skull the palate is very narrow in front, while behind it 

 remains unossified for a considerable distance in advance of the last molar teeth. 



The chinchillas are characterized by having four toes on the hind- 

 feet, and five on the fore-feet, by the length of the bushy tail, and 

 also by the enormous size of the bullae of the internal ear on the base of the skull, 

 which are so much enlarged as to appear on the sides of its upper surface. 



Chinchillas 



THE CHINCHILLA. 

 (One-half natural size.) 



c The common chinchilla {Chinchilla lanigera) is a squirrel-like Ro- 



Chinchilla dent, with very large ears, and a tail about half the length of the head 



and body; the latter measuring ten inches. The fur, which is about 



an inch in length, is of extreme softness, and of a delicate pearly gray, mottled with 



black above, and yellowish white beneath; while the tail is mostly black, with 



lighter bands on the sides. The front surfaces of the incisor teeth are of a bright 



orange. 



This species inhabits the higher Andes, from the south of Chili to the north of 

 Bolivia, and in certain districts is very abundant. Chinchillas live in burrows, 



