ORDER RODENTIA. 71 



The Red Echirnys (Prickly Rat of D'Azara), Voy. pi. xiii. 



Of the size of a Rat ; reddish-gray ; tail less 

 than the body. Found in Cayenne and Para- 

 guay. It digs long subterranean passages. 



The Dormice (Myoccus, Gm.) 



Have also four cheek-teeth, everywhere divided 

 by transverse bands ; but the hair is soft ; and the 

 tail covered, and even tufted. They live in trees, 

 subsist on fruits, and pass the winter in our climates 

 in a lethargic sleep. In the numerous order of the 

 Rodentia, this is the only genus that is destitute of 

 the caecum. In France we possess three species. 



The Dormouse (Le Loir), Mus Glis, Lin. Buff. VIII. xxiv. 



As large as a Rat, a gray-brown ash-colour 

 above; whitish underneath; a deeper brown 

 round the eye ; strong mustachios ; tail well 

 furnished with hair for its entire length, and 

 nearly disposed like that of a Squirrel. A 

 native of the forests of the South of Europe. 

 This is probably the Rat which the ancients 

 fattened and esteemed a delicacy. 



The Lerot (M. Nitela, Gm.), Buf. VII. xxv. 



Somewhat less than the preceding ; gray-brown 

 above ; whitish underneath ; a black circle 

 round the eye, which predominates and enlarges 

 towards the shoulder. The tail tufted only at 

 the end, black, with its extremity white. 



