332 DIVISION I. VKUTEBKAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



tliat it is somcwliat flattened, so as to present a sort of sligiit double edge, 

 or raised line, tiie one oj)i)(isite tlie other, and these edges are minutely 

 jagged, tiie whole constituting a weapon of no trifling nature. Xot only is 

 the wound it inflicts very painful, but it is often very serious. 



The spines of tiic poreu[)inc are elegantly ringed with broad bands of black 

 and white, and they make convenient "sticks for caniel-hair pencils and 

 steel pens." 



In the second division of the J/i/s/ririna arc the TJi/xi/proc/iihr, the 

 Agoutis, of which there arc three or ibur species inhabiting Soutii America 

 and the West India Islands ; and nearly approaching these the Pacas, somc- 

 wliat larger, of a brown or bulF color with white spots, and the (Joproiuiji- 

 <lir, or Iloutias, divided into nine genera, com[)rising twenty-eight species. 

 These all resemble very large rats, and arc more or less covered with spines, 

 which are often partially concealed by the hair. 



Genus Ciilnciiii.la. — This is a small family of rodents, entirely herbiv- 

 orous, of gentle disposition and [ilayful habits. It is a native of South 

 Amcrii'a. 



(icnus Cavia. — Of this genus, there are six species, of which the C. 

 aihaid, ( iuinca-pig, is well-known. 



Genus lIvDiiOCii.EiiUS. — There is but one species. 



J I. Cohur. — The Cahybara. Tiiis is the largest animal of the Rodcntia, 

 being eipial in size to a Chincsc-pig. It Inus a very deep, square head, no 

 tail, webbed feet, and coarse hair. It is of gregarious habit, and flocks of 

 them frequent the rivers of Guiana. Its ilcsh is delicate, and is much 

 esteemed for food. 



Lei'(ii;i1).T".. — The Hare Family. The hares are divided into two genera 

 — Lagomys and Lepus. The former has shorter ears than the latter, no 

 tail, and legs of nearly equal length. It comprises the L. jjika, or Alpine 

 'hare, and four other species. 



Genus Lici'L's. — Hares, Rabbits. Incomplete clavicles, six grinders 

 ai)ove and five below on each side, grooved incisors, with two smaller 

 behind those of the up[)er jaw, very long ears, and a short tail, are the ge- 

 neric characters of this group. 



These animals arc found in nearly all parts of the world. The European 

 liarc, L. tiiiiidiis, is distributed through all Europe and some parts of 

 Asia. The color of this species is of a tawny red on the back and sides, and 

 white on tlic belly. The ears, which are very long, are tipped with black ; 

 the eyes are very large and prominent. Tiie length of this animal is about 

 two feet, and when full grown it weighs six to eight pounds. It is a 

 watchful, timid creature, always lean, and, from the form of its legs, runs 

 swifter up hill than on level ground. Hares feed on vegetables, and arc 



