57 



THE CARASISSI OR CRAB-EATING DOG. 



CANIS CANCRIVORUS. 



Canis cuncrivorus, Desmarest, Mammalogie, p. 199 (1820) ; J. A. 

 Wagner, Supplem. to Schreber's Saugth., Abth. ii. p. 403 ; 

 Schomburgk, Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. p. 431 (1840) ; Bur- 

 meister, Fauna Brasiliens, p. 31, plate 32; id. Archiv f. 

 Naturgesch. xlii. Jahrg. Bd. i. p. 120; id. Republique 

 Argentine, vol. iii. p. 143. 



Canis brasiliensis, Lund, Blik paa Brasiliens Dyreverden, femte Afhand- 

 ling, p. 10, pi. 42. figs. 1-3 (1843). 



Canis meiampus, Wagner, Archiv f. Naturgesch. ix. Jahrg. Bd. i. pp. 357 

 & 358 (1843). 



Canis melanostcmus, Wagner, Archiv f. Naturgesch. ix. Jahrg. Bd. i. p. 358. 



Canis rudis, Giinther, Ann. & Meg. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. vol. iv. pp. 316 & 

 400 (1879). 



Thous cancrivorus, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1868, p. 514; id. Cat. Car- 

 nivorous Mammalia, p. 201. 



Viverra cancrivora, Meyer, Zool. Annalen, vol. i. p. 135 (1794). 



Chien des bnis, Buffon, Suppl. vol. vii. p. 146, pi. 38. 



L'Agoura, Azara, Essais, vol. i. p. 307 (1801). 



BESIDES C. antarcticus and C. magellanicus there are an, as yet, un- 

 certain number of different kinds of canine animals inhabiting South 

 America and the islands immediately adjacent to that continent. The 

 oldest of these which has received a scientific designation is that 

 which was called by Desmarest Canis cancrivorus. It is an animal 

 sometimes attaining a considerable size; it has a somewhat obtuse 

 muzzle, rather short tail, and a powerful frame, so that it is very unlike 

 the Common Fox, though the South- American Canidce we are about to 

 describe are very commonly spoken of as " foxes " of different kinds. 



The Carasissi appears to be subject not only to considerable variation 

 as to colour, but also as to size. The British Museum is well off" for 



i 



