OKDEH RODENTIA. 93 



common and positive character among them than 

 that of their imperfect clavicles, although the species 

 are not wanting in analogy as to habits and common 

 manners. They are all of the New Continent. 



The Cabiais, (Hydrochoerus, Erxleben.) 



Have four toes before and three behind, armed with 

 large nails and united by membranes ; four cheek- 

 teeth, of which the posterior are the longest, com- 

 posed of numerous simple and parallel laminae; the 

 anterior of laminae forked toward the external edge 

 in the upper, and toward the internal in* the lower 

 teeth. 



But one species is known. 



The Capybara of Marg. Capiygoua of d'Azara. Cavia 

 Capibara of Lin. Cabiai of Buff. XII. xlix. 



As big as a Siam Pig, with a very thick muzzle ; 

 short legs ; thick hair, yellowish-brown ; with- 

 out a tail. Inhabits in troops the rivers of 

 Guiana and the Amazons. It is good game, and 

 the largest of the Rodentia. The Castor only 

 approaches it in size. 



The Cobayes, commonly called Guinea-Pigs, Ancema, E. 

 Cuv. CCavia, Illig.) 



Represent the Cabiais in miniature ; but their 

 fingers are separated, and their molars have only 

 each a simple lamina, and a fork on the outside in 

 the upper jaw, and on the inside in the lower.. 

 Voi* in. i 



