242 HABITS—TEMPER. 
above, and paler beneath. It lives in bur- 
rows, In the open country of the northern 
provinces of Chili, and is very fond of being 
in company with others of its species. It 
feeds upon various roots which grow abund- 
antly in those parts; and produces, twice a 
year, five or six young ones. It is so docile, 
and mild in temper, that if taken into the 
hand, it neither bites nor tries to escape. If 
placed in the bosom, it remains there as still 
and quiet as if in its own nest. It is en- 
tirely free from that ill odour which charac- 
terizes the other species of Rats. 
In the same collection is a second animal, 
presented by Lady Knighton ; it is larger in 
size, and rougher in its fur, than the Chin- 
chilla; and its colour is less uniformly gray, 
the back and sides being mottled with nu- 
merous small blackish spots; it ismuch more ~ 
cheerful and frolicsome than the Chinchilla. 
The names Chinchilla and Ardilla are ob- 
viously Spanish diminutives, and imply that 
the animal to which they are given is smaller 
than some other with which it is compared. 
Molina speaks of the Harda, (otherwise 
Arda,) and may not this be Lady Knigh- 
