COYPU HAT. 



Mas Coypus. M. cauda mediocri subcompressa pilosa, plantis 



palmatu. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel.p. 125. 

 Brown Rat, with slightly compressed hairy tail of middling 



length, and webbed hind feet. 

 Mus Coypus. Molina Hist. Chil.p. 255. 

 Coypu Rat. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 177. 



THE first describer of this animal was Molina, 

 who informs us that it is an inhabitant of the 

 waters of Chili ; that it has the general appear- 

 ance of an Otter, being of the same size and co- 

 lour ; but that in its teeth it agrees with the rat 

 tribe: the feet are each furnished with five toes ; 

 those of the hind feet being connected by a web : 

 the ears are rounded, the nose longish and covered 

 with whiskers, and the tail thick and flattish on 

 the sides. This animal lives occasionally on land 

 as well as water ; sometimes frequenting houses, 

 and is easily tamed. The female produces five 

 or six young at a birth. 



