ClIINCHILLID.fi:.- 



-M.\MMALI.\.- 



-Chinchii.lid.f. 



141 



also an inhabitant of Chili, possessing habits very simi- 

 lar to the above. The fur is glossy, and displays a 

 rich purple-brown and blackish tint. The incisors are 

 Braooth and of a pale yellow colour in front. The 

 molars are so uniformly indented 

 on either side, that each resembles 

 a figure of eight. The ears are 

 very small, the tail being parti- 

 cularly short. The claws of the 

 feet are compressed and curved 

 inwards ; those of the fore-feet 

 are rather shorter than the toes. 



BENNETT'S HABROCOME 

 (Hahrocoma Benncttii) ami an- 

 other species—//. Cuvieri — 

 constitute a distinct genus, which 

 in the stractiu'e of the skeleton, 

 approaches verj' closely to the 

 Chinchillas. The auditory hullce 

 are remarkably large, while there 

 are no less than seventeen pairs 

 of ribs. The incisor teeth are 

 narrow ; the crowns of tlie superior 

 molars have a single fold inter- 

 nally, those of the lower being 

 angular in form and directed 

 obhquely forward. These animals 

 have rather large and thinly- 

 hahed ears. The whiskers are 

 particularly long. The feet are four-toed, and the 

 tail is moderately developed. The fur is very soft 

 and thick. 



THE BRAZILIAN CTENOMYS (Clenomys Brazilien- 

 sis) is an inliabitant of the contment from whence it 

 owes its specific name, and also of La Plata, Paraguay, 

 and Bolivia. The molar teeth are simple, decreasing 

 in size from before backwards ; the last has a semi- 

 cylindrical form, that of the upper series bemg ob- 

 liquely hmated, with the concavity directed outwards, 

 whilst that of the lower group is oval. The eyes are 

 small, tlie ears only rudimentary ; the tail being rather 

 short and covered witli adpressed hairs. The fore- 

 feet are furnished with powerful claws, at the base of 

 \»hich are numerous strong bristle-like hairs directed 

 inwards. Its habits resemble those of tlie family 

 generally. Several other species are known. 



Family IX.— CHINCHILLID^. 



The Cliinchillas are closely alUed to tire previous 

 family, havmg four rootless molars on either side of 

 e*ch jaw, and suuple, smooth incisors ; tlie molar teeth 

 being made up of narrow, parallel plates of dentine, 

 transversely disposed and surrounded by enamel. In 

 addition to these characteristic marks, the Chinchillas 

 liave their posterior hmbs nearly twice as long as the 

 anterior pair. The taU is also much developed, and 

 tufted with long bristly hairs at the extremity. The 

 ears are remarkably large, the internal auditory hulUe 

 being also extensively developed. The clavicles are 

 well formed. The Chinchillas are natives of the South 

 American contment. 



THE CHINCHILIiA [Chinchilla luniyera) measures 

 about nine inches long, exclusive of the tail, which 

 would add some five or six inches more. The fur lias 

 an ashy-grey colour generally, being much paler under- 



Fig. 48. 





The Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). 



neath. The eyes are large and full, while the broad 

 ears are particularly attractive ; the whiskers are cor- 

 respondingly extensive (fig. 48). The anterior feet 

 are pentadactylous, the mternal toe or thumb being 

 very small ; the posterior feet have only four digits. 

 The fur is beautifully soft and dehcate, and conse- 

 quently fetches a comparatively high price ; multitudes 

 being destroyed aimually for the purposes of sale, &c. 

 In regard to its habits, the best account that we have 

 is that given by the Italian naturalist, Molina. " This 

 little animal," he says, " lives in burrows under gromid, 

 in the open country m tlie northern provinces of Chili, 

 and is very fond of being in company with others of its 

 species. It feeds upon the roots of various bulbous 

 plants, which grow abundantly in those parts ; and pro- 

 duces twice a year five or six young ones. It is so 

 docile and mild in temper, that if taken into the hands 

 it neither bites nor tries to escape, but seems to take a 

 pleasure in being caressed. If placed in the bosom, 

 it remains there as still and quiet as if it were in its 

 own nest. This extraorduiary placidity may possibly 

 be ratlier due to its pusillanimity, which renders it 

 extremely timid. As it is ui itself peculiarly cleanly, 

 tliere can be no fear of its soiling the clothes of those 

 who handle it, or of its communicating any bad smell 

 to them, for it is entirely free from that ill odour which 

 characterizes the other species of rats. For this reason 

 it might well be kept in houses without annoyance and 

 at a triflmg expense, which would be abundantly repaid 

 by the profits on its wool. The ancient Peruvians, who 

 were far more industrious than the modern, made 

 coveriets for beds and valuable stuffs out of this fur." 

 The Chinchillas are fortunately extremely prolific, 

 otherwise they would have been extmct long ago. A 



