CHIXCHILI.ID.E. MAMMALIA. CHIXCHILLID.E. 



141 



also an inhabitant of Chili, possessing habits very simi- 

 lar to the above. The fur is glossy, and displays a 

 rich purple-brown and blackish tint. The incisors are 

 smooth and of a pale yellow colour in front. The 

 molars are so uniformly indented 

 on either side, that each resembles 

 a figure of eight. The ears are 

 very small, the tail being parti- 

 cularly short. The claws of the 

 feet are compressed and curved 

 inwards; those of the fore-feet 

 are rather shorter than the toes. 



BENNETT'S HABROCOME 

 (Habrocoma Bennettii) and an- 

 other species H. Cuvieri 

 constitute a distinct genus, which 

 in the structure of the skeleton, 

 approaches very closely to the 

 Chinchillas. The auditory bullce 

 are remarkably large, while there 

 are no less than seventeen pairs 

 of ribs. The incisor teeth are 

 narrow; the crowns of the superior 

 molars have a single fold inter- 

 nally, those of the lower being 

 angular in form and directed 

 obliquely forward. These animals 

 have rather large and thinly- 

 haired ears. The whiskers are 

 particularly long. The feet are four-toed, and the 

 tail is moderately developed. The fur is very soft 

 and thick. 



THE BRAZILIAN CTENOMYS (Ctenomys Brazilien- 

 sis) is an inhabitant of the continent from whence it 

 owes its specific name, and also of La Plata, Paraguay, 

 and Bolivia. The molar teeth are simple, decreasing 

 in size from before backwards; the last has a semi- 

 cylindrical form, that of the upper series being ob- 

 liquely lunated, with the concavity directed outwards, 

 whilst that oi the lower group is oval. The eyes are 

 small, the ears only rudimentary ; the tail being rather 

 short and covered with adpressed hairs. The fore- 

 feet are furnished with powerful claws, at the base of 

 which are numerous strong bristle-like hairs directed 

 inwards. Its habits resemble those of the family 

 generally. Several other species are known. 



FAMILY IX. CHIXCHILLID^E. 



The Chinchillas are closely allied to the previous 

 family, having four rootless molars on either side of 

 each jaw, and simple, smooth incisors ; the molar teeth 

 being made up of narrow, parallel plates of dentine, 

 transversely disposed and surrounded by enamel. In 

 addition to these characteristic marks, the Chinchillas 

 have their posterior limbs nearly twice as long as the 

 anterior pair. The tail is also much developed, and 

 tufted with long bristly hairs at the extremity. The 

 ears are remarkably large, the internal auditory bul'ce 

 being also extensively developed. The clavicles are 

 well formed. The Chinchillas are natives of the South 

 American continent. 



THE CHINCHILLA (Chinchilla lanigera} measures 

 about nine inches long, exclusive of the tail, which 

 would add some five or six inches more. The fur has 

 an ashy-grey colour generally, being much paler nnder- 



Fig. 48. 



The Chinchilla (Chinchilla 



igera). 



neath. The eyes are large and full, while the broad 

 ears are particularly attractive ; the whiskers are cor- 

 respondingly extensive (fig. 48). The anterior feet 

 are pentadactylous, the internal toe or thumb being 

 very small ; the posterior feet have only four digits. 

 The fur is beautifully soft and delicate, and conse- 

 quently fetches a comparatively high price ; multitudes 

 being destroyed annually for the purposes of sale, &c. 

 In regard to its habits, the best account that we have 

 is that given by the Italian naturalist, Molina. " This 

 little animal," he says, " lives in burrows under ground, 

 in the open country in the northern provinces of Chili, 

 and is very fond of being in company with others of its 

 species. It feeds upon the roots of various bulbous 

 plants, which grow abundantly in those parts ; and pro- 

 duces twice a year five or six young ones. It is so 

 docile and mild in temper, that if taken into the hands 

 it neither bites nor tries to escape, but seems to take a 

 pleasure in being caressed. If placed in the bosom, 

 it remains there as still and quiet as if it were in its 

 own nest. This extraordinary placidity may possibly 

 be rather due to its pusillanimity, which renders it 

 extremely timid. As it is in itself peculiarly cleanly, 

 there can be no fear of its soiling the clothes of those 

 who handle it, or of its communicating any bad smell 

 to them, for it is entirely free from that ill odour which 

 characterizes the other species of rats. For this reason 

 it might well be kept in houses without annoyance and 

 at a trifling expense, which would be abundantly repaid 

 by the profits on its wool. The ancient Peruvians, who 

 were far more industrious than the modern, made 

 coverlets for beds and valuable stuffs out of this fur." 

 The Chinchillas are fortunately extremely prolific, 

 otherwise they would have been extinct long ago. A 



