THE MARA. 



475 



ities when it is once placed in an enclosure and furnished with regular food. It appears 

 hardly to be capable of distinguishing kindness from cruelty, and displays but little emotion 

 at the presence of the person who brings its daily food. It is naturally a gentle creature, and 

 when captured will not attempt to bite the hand that seizes it, but only gives vent to a piteous 

 squeak as it feels itself made a prisoner. The flesh of the Agouti is white and good-flavored, 

 and is thought to resemble a mixture of the hare and rabbit. In some countries which it 

 inhabits it is commonly eaten, while in others a prejudice prevails against its use as an article 

 of diet. 



The name, Dasyprocta, which has been given to the genus, refers to the thick hair which 

 falls over the hind quarters, and nearly conceals the little pointed stump of a tail. The hair 



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HARA.—Dolw/totis patac/wriica. 



of this part of the body is a bright golden-brown, but on the back and sides the fur has a 

 curious speckled aspect, on account of the black, brown, and yellow tints with which each hair 

 is marked. On the greater part of the body the fur is only about one inch in length, but the 

 golden-brown hair of the hinder parts is more than four inches long. In character it is coarse, 

 though glossy. 



Though all the species are furnished with powerful claws, the Agouti is incapable of 

 climbing trees or digging burrows. It is said to have some idea of laying up provisions, and 

 to hide any superabundance of food in some place of concealment. In size it equals the 

 common rabbit, but does not equal the hare. 



Between the agoutis and the pacas is placed the Mara, or Patagonian Cavy, as it is 

 sometimes called, an animal which is remarkably swift for a short distance, but is so easily 

 fatigued that it can be run down by a man on horseback. It is more tamable than the agouti, 

 and is often kept in a state of domestication, being permitted to range the house and premises 

 at will. It is generally found in couples, a male and his mate occupying the same "form." 

 It does not seem to burrow, nor to keep so close to its retreat as the agouti, but is fond of 



