253' 



several bands let into each olber, so tlial ihv ani- 

 mal can at its picasiire dilate or contract llieni. 

 The fcnuales are very prolific ; iljcy have four 

 yonng at a birth^, and breed every uionih. The 

 ilesli is delicate, and much preferable to that of 

 the g'uinea-pio-, 



in the valleys of the Andes arc found four spe- 

 cies of this animal : 



The inclil, or four banded covur, which is 

 about six inches in length. 



The hairy, or the eight banded, which is 

 seven inches long, and covered with hair as well 

 above as below. 



The miitiUos, or the eleven banded, which is 

 very little larger than the preceding, but its ears 

 are much longer. 



The tolas, or the eighteen banded, which is 

 the largest, and is thirteen inches in length from 

 the nose to the root of the tail. 



These four species belong to the qidriquinci oi 

 Buffon, a name which has been given them from 

 their possessing the property of contracting and 

 rolling themselves up like a ball. Vv hen they 

 are hard pressed by the hunters, tliey frequently 

 C{)ntract and roll themselves down a precipice, 

 like the hedge-hog, and usually escape without 

 injury, being protected by their coat of mail. 

 But they have not the san.e means of escape 

 V Leu they are found in tl.e phiias ; they are 



c 



