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Zoological Society. 481 
_ Prevrotoma papara. Pleur. testd subfusiformi, anfractibus lon- 
gitudinaliter tenuicostatis, interstitiis transversim creberrimé ele- 
vato-striatis, labro incrassato ; albidd, fuscescente pallidissime 
tinctd. 
Hab. 
Pievroroma optrusa. Pleur. testd oblongd, spird breviusculd, ob- 
tusd, anfractibus rotundis, obtuso-costatis, transversim tenuiliratis, 
labro incrassato, sinu lato ; lutescente. 
_ Hab. ? 
February 10.—R. C. Griffith, Esq., in the Chair. : 
The following letter was read, addressed to G. R. Waterhouse, 
Esq., by the Society’s Corresponding Member Thomas Bridges, 
Esq. :— 
“ I am much delighted to learn that several of the little Rodents 
I sent from Chile previous to my departure proved new, and I thank 
you sincerely for the honour you have done me by affixing my name 
to the new Octodon. I now with pleasure give you its habitat. 
Many-years ago I found this species inhabiting holes in sandy banks 
and hillocks near the borders of the river Jeno, in the province of 
Colchagua, nor do I remember having found it in any other locality 
in Chile. It is much less abundant than O. Cumingii, but, like that 
species, it feeds on herbs and dried grass. In the winter months I 
have observed it eats the bark of Mimosa Cavenia, which abounds in 
that part of Chile. Of this species, on my return to Chile, I shall 
endeavour to procure other specimens; also a skeleton and cranium 
for your inspection. Like O. Cumingii, it makes its appearance and 
feeds during the day, especially when the weather is cloudy. 
«The Lagotis Cuvieri of Bennett, of which I sent beautiful speci- 
mens, were captured on the western side of the Andes, in the province 
of Colchagua. This animal I have also found in great abundance in 
Bolivia; you would be delighted to see it in its native country. It 
abounds in bold, rocky and steep precipices, and sometimes on the 
slopes amongst large stones tumbled one on the other, amongst the 
crevices of which it takes shelter. I have never yet seen it make caves 
or burrows. It is highly amusing to see it bound from one huge 
block to another, taking leaps equal almost to those of the squirrel ; 
this it accomplishes from the structure of its hind legs and the assist- 
ance of its tail, On examining several females lately, I find that 
they only produce one or two at a birth. Their food is coarse grass. 
It appears that this animal has an immense mountainous range from 
lat. 33° to 18°, and probably is found much further north and south. I 
have found it often from 10,000 to 12,000 feet of elevation in Bolivia. 
If not mistaken, I have discovered in my rambles from Cobija to this 
place, a distance of 900 miles, another species of Lagotis*. It is. 
somewhat less in size, more compact, with a shorter tail, and the 
fur is of a rusty colour, especially that of the flanks and abdomen; 
nor is the dark line over the vertebra so well-marked as in L. Cuviert. 
When you possess the skins you will be better able to discover if it 
is a distinct species. 
* I did not perceive any other species of Lagotis beyond the LZ. Cuvieri in Mr 
Bridges’ collection.—G._R. W. 
