232 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



The Viscache is an inhabitant of Brazil and Chili, and 

 not of Paraguay ; it excavates burrows in the earth, which 

 contain many individuals, and which have various ramifi- 

 cations ; these burrows occupy a circular space, the diame- 

 ter of which is upwards of fifty feet, and the openings into 

 it are extremely numerous. 



Its motions are quick, by running, and not by leaps, like 

 that of the Hare or Rabbit ; it seeks its food almost entirely 

 by night, and lives exclusively on vegetable matter. It is 

 not esteemed as food. 



We have now arrived, in conclusion of this order, at a 

 few remaining species, which have been separated into al- 

 most as many genera ; separations either made or adopted 

 by our author. 



The first of these is the genus Hydrocr^erus of Brisson, 

 Erxleben, GeofFroy, Illiger, and Cuvier. It includes at 

 present but a single species, placed by Linnaeus, first with 

 Mus, afterwards with Sus, and finally with Cavia. Brisson 

 separated it generically, and applied the name Hydrochserus 

 to the genus ; this was adopted by Erxleben, who applies 

 the same name to the Tapir. Pallas, and after him Gme- 

 lin, replaced it with the Cavy, referring the present generic 

 name to the Tapir only. Finally, Illiger and our author 

 have re-established the genus, as founded by Brisson. The 

 Guinea-pig was indeed included in the same classification 

 with it, but M. F. Cuvier has also separated that generi- 

 cally, as we have seen in the text. 



In common with the three following genera, the Capybara, 

 (by which name from Marcgrave we shall distinguish the 

 only species included in this genus,) in common with the 

 three following genera, has only the rudiments of clavicle. 



It differs from the Agouti in the teeth, which have 

 flat crowns, instead of enamelled scales. It is still farther 



