254 



then easily takeOj and when they roll them- 

 selves up are compelled to resume their natural 

 form by means of fire. The three first kinds run 

 very fast in a straight line^, being prevented by 

 the conformation of their armour from making 

 turns. When they get at a certain distance from 

 their pursuers^, they endeavour to dig a hole in 

 the ground to conceal themselves^ and hold so 

 fast with their fore paws that it is almost impos- 

 sible to force them away ; upon these occasions 

 the hunters have contrived a singular expedient 

 to make them quit their hold^ by introducing the 

 point of a small stick into the anus. 



The cuij (lepus minimus) is a species of small 

 rabbitj which has been by some confounded with 

 the guinea-pigj though it is not only distin- 

 guished from that animal by its form, but by its 

 generic character. It is a little larger than the 

 field-mouse, and its shape is nearly conical. The 

 ears are small, pointed and hairy, the nose is 

 long, and the teeth are precisely like those of the 

 hare and the rabbit; its fore paws have four toes, 

 and the hinder five, and the tail is so short that it 

 can scarcely be seen. This animal has been do- 

 mesticated in Chili, and is of various colours, 

 white, brown, grey, and spotted. Its hair is very 

 fine and silky, but too short for spinning; the 

 flesh is very white, and delicately tasted. The 

 female breeds cverv month, and has from six to 



