ORDER RODENT I A. 125 



the Table, we shall proceed to a short description of the 

 species in this place. 



Molina was the first zoologist that noticed this animal as 

 indigenous in Chili. Commerson afterwards procured a 

 drawing of it, and apparently without a sufficient examina- 

 tion treated it as a new genus. Gmelin and his followers 

 in the interim adopted Molina's native name of the animal, 

 and referred it to his comprehensive genus Mus. M. Geof- 

 froy, not satisfied with Commerson's presumption on the 

 animal, chose rather to refer it to the Hydromys, or pal- 

 mated Rats ; but a recent inspection of the teeth by M. F. 

 Cuvier has satisfied that eminent operative zoologist, 

 that the animal required a distinct generic place, and he 

 has therefore adopted the name Myopotamus. 



D'Azara has given a detailed account of the Quouiya of 

 Paraguay, which turns out to be the Coypus of Molina, 

 now generally known by that name. It is distinguishable 

 exteriorly from the two species of Hydromys, with which, as 

 we have seen, it has been generically associated by its larger 

 size, and by the colour of the fur, which though subject to 

 vary in different individuals, is generally of a marron-brown 

 colour on the back, each hair on that part being brown and 

 red, with the former colour prevailing; on the flanks, the 

 red predominates, and each hair is brown only at its base. 

 The pelt, hidden under the long fur, is ashy-brown, brighter 

 on the belly. In common with most other aquatic quadru- 

 peds, the Coypus has very little hair on the tail, the naked 

 parts of which are scaly. The colour of the mouth, and extre- 

 mity of the muzzle are white ; the ears are short and round. 



The body measures about two feet in length ; the tail 

 seventeen or eighteen inches. 



The male and female are not observed to differ in exte- 

 rior character. 



The Coypus is easily tamed, being endowed with a 

 gentle disposition, nor is it difficult in regard to its food, as 



Vol. III. L 



