SYNOPSIS OF THE 

 Genus V. HYDROCHiERUS. 



Incisors f , without longitudinal furrow, the lower com- 

 pressed, and sharp ; canines ff ; cheek-teeth ||, laminous. 

 Muzzle compressed ; eyes large ; ears moderate ; round an- 

 terior feet with four palmated toes ; posterior with three. 

 No tail. Two mammae. Hair scattered and bristly. 



703. 1. H. Capybara (the Capybara.) Colour dingy, 

 deepest above ; head very large ; nostrils distant. Length 

 nearly three feet. 



Capybara Brasiliensibus Marcgrave, Bras. 230. Sus 

 Maximus Palustris, Barrere. Hippopotamus Ecaudatus, 

 Hill. Anim. 569. Le Cabiai Hydrochaerus, Briss. Reg. An. 

 117. Mus Hydrochaerus, Lin. Sus Hydrochaerus, ejusd. 

 103. I2th Ed. Cavia Capybara, Gm. Hydrochaerus Capy- 

 bara, Erxleb. 



Cochon d'Eau Desmarchais, Voy. t. 3. 298. Cabiai, 

 Buff. 12. 384. Capward, Trogefs Voy. 122. River Hog, 

 Wafer in Damp. iii. 400. Irabubos, Gumil, 22 or iii. 238* 

 Capygona, D'Azara^ Quad. ofPraguay, ii. 12. Thick-nosed 

 Tapir, Pen. Syyiops. 83. Capybara Cavy, Pen. Quad. ii. SS^ 



Icon. Marcgrave, I. c. Buff. I. c. tab. 49. Schreb. 174. 



Inhabits the shores of the great rivers of South America. 



Genus VI. — Cobaya. 



Incisors f ; canines %%; cheek-teeth -ff = 20. Body 

 thick ; muzzle short, compressed ; eyes large ; ears round ; 

 legs short ; four toes on the fore-feet, and three only on those 

 behind; not palmated. No tail; two teats ventral. 



704. 1. C. Cobaya (the Cobaya or Guinea Pig.) Wild 

 Var. Reddish-gray, or like a hare on the upper parts. 



Tame Var. Varied with large patches, black, yellow, 

 and white. Length nearly one foot. 

 Aperea Brasiliensibus, Marcgr. Bras. Ind. Pison. Amaena, 



270 



