492 Mr. Bennett oti the Chinchillidce. 



As regards the South African genus, Pedetes, 111. (or Helamys of 

 M. F. Cuvier) I can by no means concur with the German zoologists who 

 have proposed to associate it with the South American family of Chin- 

 chillidce, although, as I have already stated in my paper in the Zoological 

 Society's " Transactions" p. 62, " it seems in many of its characters to 

 approach Lagostomus." I am still uncertain as to its true position, 

 which I continue to think we are not yet furnished with sufficient 

 materials to determine ; but I am convinced that its relation to the Chin- 

 chillidce is not one of near affinity. " The differences in the relative 

 proportion of the limbs, in the elongated claws of its anterior extremities, 

 in the character of its fur, and above all in the structure of its teeth, 

 forbid," as I have there stated, " a close approximation." 



The genus iMgidium of Dr. Meyen is synonymous with my Lagotis ; 

 and the species named by him Lagidium Peruanum appears to be iden- 

 tical with Lagotis Cuvieri. The ascertainment of its habitat on the 

 elevated plateaux of Peru, confirms the accuracy of my decision, unas- 

 sisted by any evidence as to locality, regarding its identity with the 

 Viscacha of Peruvian travellers. Of its habits, as witnessed by himself 

 in its native country. Dr. Meyen gives some interesting particulars. He 

 states that it is most abundant just below the limits of perpetual snow, 

 and does not form those extensive subterranean excavations so well 

 known as the work of the Viscacha of Buenos Ayres ; it was moreover 

 invariably found among the rocks, and never on the level ground. On 

 several occasions it was shot during the day, but was seen most frequently 

 at sunset, being excessively abundant, although pursued with avidity on 

 account of the good flavour of its flesh, which, however, is not so 

 tender as that of the hare. The fabrication of stuffs from its wool, so 

 general in the time of the Incas, has now entirely ceased; and such 

 stuffs are only to be met with among the rarities found in the tombs of 

 the ancient inhabitants. Dr. Meyen further adds that the skins of these 

 Viscachas are brought to us through Buenos Ayres as an article of 

 commerce, but are not so highly prized as those of the Chinchilla. He 

 gives a figure of the animal, and good representations of its skull and 

 teeth. 



