AGTJAltA DOG OF THE WOODS. 255 



US that this is the true cMen des hois, Buffon's figure 

 is, we think, that of a semi-domesticated specimen, 

 obtained through the Indians, who imposed it upon 

 the French colonists the more easily, because almost 

 all the native dogs will eat shell-fish. * 



The chien des hois^ or Aguara of the "Woods, may 

 be the Koupara of Barrere,t and the description of 

 Bufibn repeated by F. Cuvier and Desmarets is quite 

 correct in the details, but wrong as to the general 

 appearance of the animal, which is more like a cur 

 than a shepherd's dog. The length of head and 

 body is two feet six inches, the tail one foot, height 

 at the shoulder fourteen inches ; the head rounded, 

 the muzzle more blunt than in the former ; the ears 

 short, erect, triangular, with a rufous fur at the 

 back and spreading towards the neck, similar to 

 those of the wild species : the colour more grey on 

 the neck and yellowish white beneath ; this colour 

 spreads on the insides of the legs and thighs ; that 

 of the upper part of the head and back consists of a 

 mixed black, fulvous, grey, and white hairs, most 

 fulvous on the head and legs, and grey on the back ; 

 the legs are slender and the feet small, both of a 

 dark brown and reddish colour ; the tail, clothed with 

 a close coat of hair without a brush, is brown on the 



* Prince Maximilian of Wied and Dr Rengger, who resided 

 six years in Paraguay, do not appear to have met with it ; and 

 we therefore conclude that the species does not extend to the 

 southward of the line. 



t Barrere is probably mistaken in the true application of 

 this name, for in Brazil it refers to a feline and not to a dog. 



