THE RESTLESS CAVY. 379 



it recognised in any wild species now found in that part of the 

 world. 



The length of this animal, when it extends its body, is nearly 

 eleven inches. It has no tail. The distribution of its spots, 

 black and brown on a white ground, varies in different indi- 

 viduals. They are pretty, tame, harmless little creatures, and 

 very careful of keeping a clean fur. They feed on various 

 plants j but it is said that if they, or even rabbits, be given 

 the leaves, stalks, and pods of the maize, or Indian corn, they 

 will touch no other food while a particle of this remains. They 

 drink by lapping. When about a month old they begin to 

 breed, and have several litters in the year, each litter consisting 

 of from six to eight, or even twelve young. 





THE AGOUTI. 

 (Chloromys acuti, F. Cuv.j Dasyprocta acuti, Illig./ 



The agouti is a native of South America. It is about the 

 size of a hare j its short fur is chesnut brown, mixed with red, 

 of a sleek and shining appearance ; its muzzle is long, and the 

 upper lip deeply divided. 



It grunts like a pig ; sits on its hind quarters when eating its 

 food, consisting of roots, fruits, and nuts, which it conveys to 

 its mouth with its paws 5 and when it has eaten enough, it 



