THE LAGOTIS. 455 
feeding, it sits upon its hinder feet, and conveys the food to its mouth with its fore-feet, which 
it uses with singular adroitness. It is a most exquisitely cleanly animal, as might be sup- 
posed from the beautiful delicacy of its fur, for we may always remark, that whenever ar ani- 
mal is remarkable for the coloring or tae texture of its natural robes, it is always most assidu- 
ous in preserving them from any substance that might stain their purity or clog their fibres. 
The fur of the Chinchilla is of a delicate, clear gray upon the back, softening into a gray- 
ish-white on the under portions, and its texture is marvellously soft and fine. As the fur 
seems to be of two different qualities in 
animals that are brought from different 
parts of South America, it is supposed 
that there may be either two distinct spe- 
cies of this animal, or at least two perma- 
nent varieties, the hair of one being very 
much more delicate than that of the other. 
Besides being dressed and employed as a 
fur, the hair of the Chinchilla is so long 
and soft that it is well adapted for the 
loom, and has been manufactured into vari- 
ous fabrics where warmth and lightness 
are equally required. 
As the animal is very small, only 
measuring fourteen or fifteen inches in 
total length, the tail occupying nearly 
one-third of the measurement, many skins 
are employed in the manufacture of one 
article of ordinary dress, and the destruc- 
tion of the Chinchilla is necessarily very 
considerable in order to supply the con- 
stant demand for this deservedly popular 
fur. 
As far as is known, the Chinchilla is Cao Pie ois oe 
not a very intelligent animal, seeming to 
be hardly superior to the Guinea pig in intellect, and appearing scarcely to recognize even 
the hand that supplies it with food. 
Tuer LaGorts is distinguishable from the preceding animal by the structure of the fore- 
feet, which are only furnished with four toes, while those of the chinchilla possess five. The 
ears are very long in proportion to the head, and being somewhat similar to those of the hare, 
have gained for the animal the generic name of Lagotis, or Hare-eared. 
The hinder limbs are long, and very much resemble those of the hare or rabbit ; and the 
whole aspect of the creature partakes greatly of the leporine character. The coat is very like 
that of the hare in color and texture, and is soft, long, and rather woolly, but as it is only 
slightly attached to the skin, is valueless as a fur. The long ears are rounded at their extrem- 
ities, and their margins are rolled inwards. The tail is so long that it forms a ready means of 
separating the Lagotis from the hares or rabbits, being quite as long as the body, and thickly 
covered with stiff hairs. 
It is an inhabitant of Peru, and takes up its residence in the crevices of the rocky local- 
ities among which it dwells. Although tolerably active, it appears to be possessed of little 
endurance, never attempting to escape by speed if it should chance to be alarmed, but diving 
at once into the welcome shelter of the nearest cranny. When wounded, they always seek 
the same retreat, so that unless they are killed by some instantly mortal injury, their bodies 
cannot be recovered by the hunter. The fur of this animal is so slightly attached to the skin 
that it comes away when handled. The flesh, however, is delicate and tender, and it is chiefly 
for the sake of its value as an article of food that the Lagotis is hunted. 
