CHINCHILLAS AND VISCACHAS. 



171 



from 11 to 12 inches; and since it differs by having only four toes on each 

 foot, it is considered to represent a distinct genus. The ears, moreover, are longer 

 and more pointed ; while in the skull the bullse of the internal ear are relatively 

 smaller. The general hue of the long and soft fur is ashy grey, tinged with 

 yellow and pencilled with black; while on the under-parts it is pale yellow, 

 gradually becoming deeper in hue on the flanks. The feet are grey ; while the 

 tail is black below, with very long hairs above, some of which are also of the same 

 jetty tint. One of the most remarkable features about the animal is the length 

 of the black whiskers, in which some of the hairs may measure seven 

 inches. This species is also an inhabitant of the higher Andes of Chili, 



THE SHORT-TAILED CHINCHILLA (| nat. size). 



Peru, and Bolivia, ranging to elevations of some sixteen thousand feet above 

 the sea-level. In habits these animals seem to be almost identical with the 

 true chinchillas, dwelling in barren rocky districts, and exhibiting the same 

 marvellous activity. Their food is composed of grass, roots, and moss, to procure 

 which they have frequently to travel long distances from their homes. Their 

 principal enemies are the condor, and the dogs of the shepherds. They are 

 captured by the Indians in snares for the sake of their fur, which is, however, far 

 less valuable than that of the chinchilla. 



The third generic modification of the present family, which is 

 represented only by the viscacha (Lagostomus trichodactylus), differs 

 from its cousins in being an inhabitant of the open pampas, ranging from the Rio 

 Negro to the Uruguay River, instead of the heights of the Andes. These animals 



Viscacha. 



