301 



AMERICA. 



AMERICA. 



303 



fineness of its fur. It inhabits all the rivers and streams of Canada, 

 and like the beaver builds a hut to protect itself from the severity of 

 the winter. The Coypu (Myopotanius)i3 an animal closely resembling 

 the beaver in size, quality of fur, and general organisation, but its tail 

 is round instead of flat, and it does not form the societies nor construct 

 the residence for which the beaver is so well known. It seems 

 nevertheless to represent this species in the rivers and lakes of South 

 America. The Chinchilla is another animal of South America, remark- 

 able for the beautiful, soft, and rich texture of its dark ash-coloured 

 fur. It is a small species, about the size of a guinea-pig; inhabits 

 Peru, Chili, and Buenos Ayres, and resides in deep burrows, which it 

 constructs beneath the surface of the earth. Of the hare genus 

 (Lepu), America contains five or six distinct species, one of which 

 (L. Californica) is remarkable for the brilliant white colour of its long 

 ears, and the rich ashy brown of its fur. But the Cavy family, com- 

 prising the Agoutis (Chrymchloris), the Pacas (Ccdogenys), the Capybaris 

 (Hydroc/uerus), and the Cavies, or Guinea-Pigs (An&ma), forms indis- 

 putably the most distinguishing and characteristic feature in this 

 department of American zoology. These animals are peculiar to 

 America, and for the moat part to the southern continent : the common 

 Agouti however extends into Carolina, and with the Raccoon and 

 Houtias (Capromyt), constitute the largest mammals indigenous to 

 St. Domingo, Jamaica, and the West India Islands. The last-mentioned 

 genus is composed of arboreal animals, peculiar to the island of Cuba. 

 The Coendoos, or prehensile-tailed Porcupines (Synetheret), are likewise 

 peculiar to the American continent, and are not the least singular of 

 its productions. The Urson (Hytlrix dortata) inhabits the United 

 States and Canada, and is the only species of porcupine, properly so 

 called, which appears to have the power of climbing trees. 



But of all other tribes of mammals, the Edentata are those which 

 are most especially characteristic of the zoology of America. Of 

 34 species, and 7 genera, which compose this singular order of animals, 

 no fewer than 21 species and 5 genera are exclusively confined to 

 South America. These genera are the A'i and Sloths (Bradypux and 

 Adieus), the Armadillos (Datypiu), the Chlamyphores (CUamyphonu), 

 and the Ant-Eatere (M yrmecriphagn). Of the two remaining genera, 

 the Aard-Vark (Orycteroput) inhabits the Cape of Good Hope, and the 

 Pangolins (Mani) are distributed over the continents of Asia and 

 Africa : the former contains but one, the latter two species. The 

 genus Cldamijphortit contains but a single species (C. truncatut), which 

 inhabits Chit', and lives almost entirely beneath the surface of the 

 earth. The Ant-Eaters (Myrmecophaga) are entirely destitute of teeth, 

 and live exclusively upon anta, which they catch by means of their 

 long cylindrical tongues covered with a glutinous saliva. The great 

 Ant-Bear (M. jubata) is aa large as a good-sized dog, and though 

 destitute of teeth and slow of foot, defends himself with courage and 

 success, by means of his large and powerful claws, even from the 

 attacks of the jaguar. The small species (M. didactyla), about the 

 size of a rat, hag a prehensile tail, and resides entirely in trees. There 

 u also a third species of intermediate size (if. tamandua), which is 

 likewise said to ascend trees, though it is without the prehensile power 

 in the tail. 



America is as remarkable for its poverty in Pachydermatous 

 mammals, aa for its richness in Edentata, and this is another 

 most singular character hi its zoological productions. The order 

 Pacftydrrmata contains 9 existing genera, and 30 species; yet of 

 all these only a single genus and four species are peculiar to 

 America. The elephant, the hippopotamus, and the rhinoceros, 

 have no existing representatives in this continent: of the Tapirs 

 (Tajiiriu), there are two American species, the Common Tapir 

 (T. Amrricamut), and a species discovered in the Andes, but not well 

 known. We have already mentioned that no species of the horse kind 

 (Kqtnui) is indigenous to America ; the hogs, however, are represented 

 by the closely-allied though distinct genus of Peccaries (Dicotylct), 

 which contains two species (D. torquatiu and D. latnatui), both peculiar 

 to this continent. These animals are gregarious, and inhabit the 

 primeval forests of South America, living entirely upon vegetable 

 substances, and uniting to defend themselves from the attacks of 

 beasts of prey. 



Out of 159 species of Ruminating quadrupeds, 26 only are found in 

 America ; and of these, only 5 species belong to the hollow-horned 

 family. Two <.f these, the Bison and Musk-Ox, belong to the genus 

 Bog, th.> Big-Homed Sheep to the genus (hit (0. montana), the Rocky- 

 :at to the genus Copra (C. Americana) ; and the fifth, 

 by the natives, has been generally referred to the antelopes, 

 [h it .lifters essentially, in many important characters, from all 

 the other known species of that genus. The Rocky Mountain Goat is 

 remarkable for it* long white hair, of a fine silky texture, finer even 

 than that of the shawl-goat of Cashmere and Tibet, and which, if 

 procured in sufficient quantity, would form a most valuable article of 

 commerce and manufacture. All these species inhabit North America. 

 The only ruminating animals which are found in the southern continent, 

 exclusive of the llamas, already mentioned, are various species of 

 deer, which are remarkable only for replacing all other genera of 

 ruminant* in this extensive portion of the globe. North America 

 likewise possesses many species of this genus, some of which, as the 

 Wapiti (Ctmtt Canadennt), the Klk (','. nl,-r,), ,,,,d the Rein-Deer 

 (C. tarandut), attain a very considerable size. The latter species is 



still found in numerous troops in the interior of Newfoundland, iu the 

 northern parts of America as far north as Greenland, and the islands of 

 the Arctic Ocean. 



Of the Cetacea, or whale kind, a great variety are found along the 

 shores of America, particularly in high northern and southern lati- 

 tudes. The mo^t useful and remarkable are the Common Whalo 

 (Balcena niysticetm), the Spermaceti Whale (Physeter macrocephalns), 

 and the Narwhal (Monodon monoceros). The Manatee, one of the two 

 species of herbivorous Cetacea of the genus Lamantin, is found both 

 in South America and Africa. 



As to American Ornithology, we confine ourselves to those tribes 

 which are most characteristic of the zoology of the country. Rapacious 

 birds are of a great many different species, as well of vultures as of 

 owls, hawks, and eagles. The Condor of the Andes (Vultur gryphus) 

 is the largest bird of prey known : and the King of the Vultures 

 ( V. papa) is remarkable for the variety of its colours, and the bright 

 tints of blue and vermilion which mark its naked head and neck. 

 Among the Insessores, the most characteristic of American zoology, are 

 the Humming- Birds (Trochilm), remarkable alike for their diminutive 

 size, and the brilliant metallic lustre of their plumage. These singularly 

 beautiful little animals, of which there are upwards of 200 species, 

 varying from the size of a common wren to that of an humble bee, 

 are principally found in the tropical regions of Brazil and Guyana ; 

 but extend also into the United States, beyond 38 N. lat., and were 

 found by Captain King even in S5 S. lat., in the Strait of Magalhaens. 

 America abounds in birds of the order of Scanaores. Maccaws, parrots, 

 and parroquets, swarm in all the forests ; and the singular and beautiful 

 genera of Toucans (Rliamphastos), and Couroucous (Trogon), are peculiar 

 to the tropical forests of this continent. Of Easores, or galliuac;ous 

 birds, it also contains an abundant supply, though of a family essen- 

 tially different from that which inhabits the woods of India and China, 

 which have supplied us with the common fowl, the peacock, and the 

 pheasant. These useful and important genera have no representatives 

 among the indigenous birds of America, but their place is well supplied 

 by the Turkeys (Meleagri), the Curassows (Alector), and the Guans 

 (Penelope), all of which have been reduced to a state of domestication, 

 and people the farm-yards of different parts of America. Except the 

 common turkey, which we originally received from Virginia, and not 

 from the Levant, as the name erroneously implies, all these species are 

 confined to South America ; the northern portion of the continent 

 abounds more particularly in the Grouse (Tetrao) and Partridge 

 (Perdrix) families. Vast flights of pigeons also migrate periodically 

 to different parts of the northern- continent, frequently extending for 

 many miles on each side, darkening the entire atmosphere, and often 

 requiring four or five days to pass over a particular place. 



The American Ostrich (Struihio rhea) is much smaller than the 

 African species, from which it is further distinguished by having 

 three toes completely developed on each foot. It is found principally 

 on the pampas, or plains, of Buenos Ayres and Patagonia, from the 

 banks of the Amazonas to the Straits of Magalhaens. There are no 

 Bustards (Otit) in this part of the world, but the Agami or Trumpet- 

 Bird (Piophia), the Cariama (Dicholoph ut), the Jabiru (Mycteria), the 

 Jacauas (Parra), and the Kamichi (Palamedea), are genera altogether 

 peculiar to America, and are the most remarkable Grallalom, or 

 wading birds, of the New World. The Scarlet Ibis (Ibie ruber), and 

 the American Flamingo (Phwnicopteru* Americanus), are characterised 

 by the uniform deep scarlet colour of their plumage. Of aquatic or 

 swimming birds (Ifatatores) this continent likewise contains an 

 abundant supply, and possesses specimens of all the different genera 

 which inhabit the Old World. There is however nothing peculiar 

 in this part of American ornithology ; and indeed the order of 

 Palmipedes, from the peculiar nature of their organisation, whicli 

 enables them either to walk, swim, or fly, as the occasion may require, 

 are more equally and universally distributed over every part of the 

 earth than any other group of animals. 



The Reptile* of America are numerous, and often important, even 

 in an economical point of view, though many are dangerous. Among 

 the former the principal is the Turtle (Tetudo midai). This animal 

 resorts yearly to the islands and shores of the Orinoco, and other largo 

 rivers of tropical America, and also to the shore of the islands in the 

 Columbian Archipelago, to deposit its eggs, which it buries by 

 thousands in the sand, and which are eagerly sought after by the 

 Indians who annually resort to these haunts of the turtle for the 

 purpose of procuring them. Three or four species of alligators like- 

 wise inhabit the rivers of the American continent, and the largo 

 islands of the West Indian group contain a species which is closely 

 allied to the common crocodile of Egypt. The Agamas supply in 

 America the place of the chameleon, and the Iguanas furnish a white 

 and tender food. Brazil produces a species of reptile (Bipes cariococca) 

 which is destitute of fore legs ; and Mexico contains another (Cheirotcs) 

 which is entirely deprived of the hind legs. Among the serpents 

 the genus Boa is peculiar to America : the great serpents of India 

 and Africa are erroneously classed amongst this genus. It contains 

 many different species, the principal of which are the Boa constrictor, 

 the Anaconda (B. tcylale), and the Aboma (B. cenchris). They chiefly 

 inhabit the swamps and inundated fens of the tropical parts of 

 South America. The Rattle-Snakes (Crotalus) are likewise a genus 

 exclusively American, and particularly formidable on account of the 



