CHINCHILLAS AND VISCACHAS. 171 
from 11 to 12 inches; and since it differs by having only four toes on each 
foot, it is considered to represent a distinct genus. The ears, moreover, are longer 
and more pointed ; while in the skull the bulle of the internal ear are relatively 
smaller. The general hue of the long and soft fur is ashy grey, tinged with 
yellow and pencilled with black; while on the under-parts it is pale yellow, 
gradually becoming deeper in hue on the flanks. The feet are grey; while the 
tail is black below, with very long hairs above, some of which are also of the same 
jetty tint. One of the most remarkable features about the animal is the length 
of the black whiskers, in which some of the hairs may measure seven 
inches. This species is also an inhabitant of the higher Andes of Chili, 







































































































THE SHORT-TAILED CHINCHILLA (} nat, size). 
Peru, and Bolivia, ranging to elevations of some sixteen thousand feet above 
the sea-level. In habits these animals seem to be almost identical with the 
true chinchillas, dwelling in barren rocky districts, and exhibiting the same 
marvellous activity. Their food is composed of grass, roots, and moss, to procure 
which they have frequently to travel long distances from their homes. Their 
principal enemies are the condor, and the dogs of the shepherds. They are 
captured by the Indians in snares for the sake of their fur, which is, however, far 
less valuable than that of the chinchilla. 
The third generic modification of the present family, which is 
represented only by the viseacha (Lagostomus trichodactylus), differs 
from its cousins in being an inhabitant of the open pampas, ranging from the Rio 
Negro to the Uruguay River, instead of the heights of the Andes. These animals 
Viscacha. 
