342 NEW WORLD RODENTS. 



two feet in length, with hind limbs much longer than the fore, but 

 considerably bent. The claws are thick, strong, and conical ; the 

 eyes large, prominent, and of a brownish hue ; the ears nearly naked, 

 and whiskers rigid. The paca is heavy and corpulent, but swims 

 and dives with remarkable agility. As he feeds only on fruits and 

 tender plants, his flesh is exceedingly savoury, and a staple dish in 

 many parts of America. His burrow is provided with three aper- 

 tures, and his capture is managed by closing up two of these, and 

 digging up the third. 



The Agouti (Dasyprocta Agouti) is another South American 

 Rodent, about one-third the size of the Paca ; he swims, but does not 

 dive. He has sometimes been named "the rabbit of the South 

 American continent," but differs from it in many essential points, 

 and really belongs to the Cavidce, or guinea-pig tribe. He possesses 

 the voracious appetite of the hog, and devours indiscriminately every- 

 thing that comes in his way. He conveys his food to his mouth with 

 his fore-paws, like a squirrel, and: as he has long hind legs, runs, or 

 rather leaps, with considerable swiftness. He is hunted very perse- 

 veringly on account .of the devastation he causes among the sugar- 

 canes. There is a larger species called the Mara, or Pampas 

 Hare (Dasyprocta Patachonica), which will wander for miles away 

 from its home. 



Among the most interesting Rodents of the New World must be 

 classed the Vizcacha and the Chinchilla, whose furs are so highly 

 valued. The Vizcacha, or Bizcacha (Galomys bizcacha), somewhat 

 resembles a rabbit, but his teeth are larger, and he has a long tail. 

 He lives, Jt is said, on roots, and never wanders far from his burrow. 

 His flesh, when cooked, is very white and savoury. The Chinchilla 

 (C. lanigera) inhabits the cold mountain- valleys, where his close, 

 fine gray fur is an invaluable protection. He is a prettj r animal, 

 much like the rabbit, but with a squirrel's tail ; of a mild and 

 sociable disposition ; and living with his kind on the most amicable 

 terms. 



Nor must the Beaver be forgotten, the most industrial animal of 



