THE DORMOUSE, INDIAN GERBILLE, CAPYBARA, AND AGOUTI. 



Common Dormouse. 



Indian Gerbille. 



The Dormouse is very common in all the warmer parts of Europe. It lives in copses and among brush- 

 wood, through which it makes its way with such rapidity that it is very difficult to capture. During the 

 winter it lies torpid, hut takes care to have a stock of food laid up, on which it feeds during the few inter- 

 ruptions to i£s slumbers. 



The Agouti lives in Brazil, Guiana and Paraguay. It is about the size of a rabbit, and like that animal 

 is generally found in company. In Brazil and Guiana, the Agouti is much sought after for the sake of its 

 flesh, but it appears that in Paraguay the flesh is not eaten. It feeds on vegetables, especially yams and 

 tubers, but in the West India Islands it devours the sugar canes, and is a great pest to the planters. 



The Capybara is the largest of all the Rodentia. At first sight it looks very like a pig, and its skin is 

 covered thinly with hairs like bristles, which add to the resemblance. It inhabits the borders of lakes and 

 rivers in many parts of Southern America. During the day, it hides among the thick herbage of the 

 banks, only wandering forth to feed at night, but when alarmed, it instantly makes for the water, and 

 escapes by diving. It is hunted for the sake of its flesh, which is said to be remarkably good. The Jaguar 

 appears to be of the same opinion, for he is the most terrible enemy of this creature, destroying immense 

 numbers. The food of the Capybara consists of grass, vegetables and fruits. Its length is about three 

 feet six inches. 



The .Indian Gerbille is of the size of a common rat. It is common in Hindostan, and seems to be 

 gregarious, great numbers associating together. These animals are very abundant about cultivated lands, 

 and are very destructive to wheat and barley crops, of which they lay up considerable hoards in spacious 

 burrows. Certain classes of the Hindoos go in quest of these animals, at proper seasons, to plunder their 

 hoards of grain ; and often within the soace of twenty yards find as much wheat in the ear as could be 

 (rammed into a bushel basket. 





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Capjfbur.i. 



Agouti. 



Capybara. 



(74) 



