408 



VERTEBRATA. 



the mustaches strong. They have a movement similar to that of the rats, live in the woods and 

 plantations, and have often been compared to rabbits. They are herbivorous, and easily climb 

 trees. There are three species, all of the Island of Cuba. 



Fournier's Capromts, or the Siiokt-tailed Capromys, C. Fournieri, the Isodon pilo7-idcs of 

 Say, is blackish-brown above, and grayish-white beneath; the body is fourteen inches long, and 

 the tail, which is scaly like that of the. rats, is six. It is called Hutia Congo in Cuba, and is capa- 

 ble of being tamed. 



The I'reiiensile-tailed Capromys, the Capromys ptrehensilis, is known in Cuba by the name 

 of Hutia Carabali, and is said to confine itself to parts of the forests which are remote from the 

 habitations of man, and to be more shy and less tamable than the preceding. Like this, it is 

 an expert climber, and confines itself to the uppermost branches of trees. The tail, which is of 

 moderate length, is prehensile at the extremity; the animal, assisted by this organ, is enabled to 

 cling with security to the small twigs of the trees, or to the parasitic plants with which they are 

 overgrown, and among which it usually conceals itself. 



Poet's Capromys, C. Poeyii, is of a chestnut-color, spotted with red and yellow. 



Genus PLAGIODONTIA : Plagiodontia. — Of this a single genus is known, the P. adium. It 

 inhabits the Island of St. 1 >omingo, and is nearly allied to the capromys of the neighboring Island 

 of Cuba. Its short and naked tail, combined with certain differences observable in the structure 

 of the molar teeth, furnish the chief distinguishing characters. It is generally of a light-brown 

 color above, and whitish-yellow below. It often visits the houses by day, but departs at night. 

 It lives on fruits and vegetables, and like other animals which have a vegetable diet, is good food. 



THE COYPU. 



Genus MYOPOTAMUS : Myopotamus. — Of this there is a single species, the well-known 

 Covpr, M. Coypus ; the Coypu Rat of Shaw. This has ears of moderate size; fur long; up- 

 per parts of the animal penciled with dusky and brownish-yellow in about equal proportions; 

 Bides and under parts of the prevailing tint, brown-yellow; tip of muzzle and chin white; a 

 yellow patch immediately beneath the ear opening; feet dusky-brown. In size it is nearly equal 

 ;to the beaver, and bears a considerable superficial resemblance to that animal; its tail, however, 

 is cylindrical, has a scaly skin, and is scantily clothed with hairs, short and stiff, like that of the 

 rat. The hair is fine and silky, and has at the base a wool similar to that of the beaver; it is 



