132 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



HUTIA COXGA. 



occasionally to eat shell-fish. The female produces from four to five young once in the year. The 

 little animals very early accompany their mother into the water, when she swims with them on her 

 back, until they have acquired the art of swimming. Mr. Waterhouse thinks that this habit may 

 "explain the singular position of the nipples noticed in the female Coypu. Of these four were found 

 by Mr. ^.ereboullet on each side of the body, and situated rather above the mesial line of the flanks, 

 the foremost being placed behind the shoulder, and the hindermost in front of the thigh." The 

 Coypu is hunted for the sake of its flesh, which is described as white and of good flavour, and of its 



TEETH OF PLAGIODON. 



MOLAR TEETH OF LONCHEEES. 



skin, which is well known in the fur trade under the name of " Nutria," signifying Otter. Great 

 quantities of these skins are annually exported from Buenos Ayres. It is said to be a courageous 

 animal, fighting bravely with the dogs engaged in chasing it. 



The HUTIA CONGA (Capromys pilorides) is another large Rodent, measuring from twenty 

 to twenty-two inches in length, with a stout rat-like tail about half as long as the head and body. 

 It is an inhabitant of Cuba. The incisors are considerably smaller and weaker than in the Coypu ; 

 the upper molars have one internal and two external folds; the lower ones are similar but reversed. 

 The fur, which is long, is very harsh, and consists of a mixture of black and yellow hairs, becoming 

 rusty on the hinder part of the body. The belly is rusty yellow. This animal lives in the dense 



