264 RODENTIA. 



The under fur is [dense, except on the back. The food 

 of the Nutria is strictly vegetable. It brings forth about 

 6 or 8 young at a time. The teats, which are about 8 

 in number, are placed on the side of the back, thus 

 enabling the young to feed without diving. 



The Coypu Eat is an aquatic animal, swimming and 

 diving with great ease. It is very abundant in its native 

 country. 



It is said to ])e readily tamed, and breeds well in 

 captivity in England. 



The skins of this Eodent are exported from Buenos 

 Ayres and the Brazils, chiefly to New York, where the 

 annual importations vary from 46 to over 900 Ijales. 

 The annual collection varies considerably from year to 

 year, the average quantity being from 300,000 to 

 500,000 skins. 



A certain quantity are also exported annually to 

 Hamburg and France, and from 50 to 100 bales to 

 England. 



Like most other Eodents, its fur is used for cutting, 

 or hat purposes, and is sold by the lb. 



The following are the prices of Nutria fur in 1857 : — 

 Side .... 28s. per lb. 



,, XX (superior) . 30s. ,, 

 Back .... 29s. 



The Nutria skin is also used as a good durable fur. 

 It is pulled or unhaired, and the under fur is ch'ed dark 

 brown, when it is one of the best imitations of Fur Seal, 

 for caps, muffs, and other small articles. This skin is 

 also d3'ed black, and brown, with the hair unremoved, 

 and it is also pulled and silvered in imitation of Beaver. 



The best way to flay the Nutria is by opening it up 

 the back, as by this means the good short fur of the 

 belly is obtained in one piece. 



