430 



THE PACA. 



THE PACA (CCELOGENYS). 



The paca — another rodent — is remarkable for its enor- 

 mously-developed cheek-bone, and for the thick pouch whicli 

 it possesses. Like its big relation, the capybara, it always 

 takes up its abode in the neighbourhood of water. It forms 

 a burrow so near the surface, that a person walking over it 

 suddenly steps through. It generally makes three openings, 

 which it covers with dry leaves and branches. The Indian 

 easily discovers the entrances, when he closes up two of the 



-_— -i = -^.?^;^^' 



DUSKY PACA. 



apertures, and watches till the paca ventures out of the third. 

 The little animal, however, defends itself bravely, and will 

 severely bite its assailant. 



It is of a thick, clumsy form, measuring about two feet in 

 length from the tip of the nose to the extremity of the body, 

 and about one foot in hcio^ht. The hinder limbs are lon*]^, 

 the front ones much bent. Its feet are armed with thick, 

 strong, conical claws, suitable for digging. 



Though a clumsy-looking creature, it can run and jump 



