THE AGOUTI FAMILY. 



171 



into Europe is not to be recommended, since 

 it eats a great deal, grows slowly, and is not 

 very prolific. 



In the second group of the Subungulata the 



cheek-teeth are composed of narrow flat plates 

 arranged transversely and obliquely and con- 

 nected by cement, which, however, leaves the 



points of junction of the enamel plates free. 

 This structure is specially well marked in the 

 furthest back teeth, and in the capybara it is 

 so pronounced that one might take these teeth 

 for miniature elephants' teeth. As regards 

 structure at least there is no essential difference 

 between the grinding teeth of these animals. 



Fig. 233. The Patngonian Cavy (Dolichotis patagonica) 



The Patagonian Cavy or Mara (Dolichotis 

 patagonica], fig. 233, resembles when standing 

 some hornless antelopes. It has long thin 

 legs of equal length, a rather long body some- 

 what arched behind, and a short tail almost 

 hidden in the hair. In a sitting attitude, on 

 the other hand, it would be more like a hare, 

 if its ears were not so short. It attains a 

 length of about 20 inches, and is about 2 

 inches less in height at the shoulders. The 

 incisors are relatively small, and the four 

 cheek-teeth have only a single fold in the 

 middle. The soft thick glossy fur is grayish- 

 brown in colour and has a whitish shimmer 

 on the back and sides. On the belly and the 

 buttocks it is white, and the latter white patch 



(the speculum) is surrounded by a black ring. 

 The hair on the belly and underneath the 

 neck is a little longer than elsewhere. The 

 mara inhabits the steppes and deserts of 

 Patagonia. It runs well, and lives in troops 

 under the leadership of an old male. It is 

 remarkably shy, and often hides in the holes 

 dug by the vizcachas. In captivity the mara 

 behaves like a hare. Its fur is much used in 

 making carpets and blankets; its flesh is white 

 and not exactly palatable. 



The Restless Cavy or Aperea (Cavia aperea 

 (porcelhts)}, fig. 234, is very probably the 

 ancestor of our Guinea-pig (C. cobayd), which, 

 as has been historically proved, was introduced 

 into Europe from America in the middle of 



