THE SPOTTED PACA. 



" Mus Brasiliensis magnus, porcelli pilis et voce, Paca dictus." 

 John Ray on the paca, A.D. 1693. 



The high level of intelligence attained by many 

 animals in itself constitutes a distinct field of zoological 

 research. The half-human reasoning of anthropoid 

 apes has repeatedly been the subject of comment 

 and observation ; the wily fox, the cunning rat, 

 and the versatile armadillo are further instances. 

 Conversely, many forms especially amongst rodents 

 and marsupials are dull even to stupidity, leading 

 a life of respectable blankness, an existence of 

 mere eating and sleeping. These exhibit a 

 paradox, for they are interesting precisely because 

 they are ^interesting ; examples may be found 

 in the well-known guinea pig, and in the spotted 

 paca. 



The spotted paca (Ccelogenys paca] pag of the 

 Brazilians gualilla of the Ecuador natives dis- 

 tantly resembles a smartly-spotted guinea pig. It 

 measures about two feet in total length; the head is 

 broad and flattened, with a wide face. The muzzle 

 is long, very mobile, and provided with well-developed 

 whiskers ; the eyes are placed high in the head and 

 prominent, as if starting out of their sockets ; the 

 ears are small. The body is stout and, from the 



