722 RODENTIA. 



The Tukotuko, Ctenomys Magellanicus, is betrayed to the traveler by 

 the peculiar grunting sounds which, in regular succession, are heard 

 proceeding from the earth. The animal that utters them is about the 

 size of the hamster, of a brownish-gray color on the body, and with 

 white feet and tail. The Tukotuko was first described by Darwin, who 

 discovered it at the eastern entrance to the Straits of Magellan. Wide, 

 dry, sandy, and barren plains are its home. Here it burrows, like a 

 mole, for a long distance, during the night. By day it rests. Its motion 

 on the surface of the ground is clumsy, it cannot leap over the slightest 

 obstacle, and when out of its hole, can be easily captured. In all proba- 

 bility it does not hibernate. 



GENUS CTENODACTYLUS. 



We take this genus as the representative of the African branch of the 

 family. The head is thick and blunt, the ears round and short, the eyes 

 moderate in size, the whiskers uncommonly long, the limbs strong, the 

 hind ones longer than the fore ones ; the tail is a mere stump, but is cov- 

 ered with long bristles. 



The Gundy, Ctenodactylus massoni, is found in the wildly romantic 

 valleys of the Djebel Aures, and in the southern elevations of Algeria, 

 near the Sahara. In the winter months it is seen at midday on the rocks, 

 but always high enough to be safe from surprise. With its head directed 

 to the valley, and lying close to the rock, it looks like a part of it. It is 

 everywhere common, living in clefts, and under stones, and is remark- 

 able for its agility. The slightest noise makes it hop ba.ck into its hole, 

 which usually defies all the sportsman's efforts. The best time to watch 

 it is the morning, as at sunrise it begins to descend into the valley in 

 search of food. When it reaches the fields, it sits up like a rabbit, and 

 gnaws the stalks of growing corn. Traps and nooses of hair are em- 

 ployed to catch it, and the Arab children amuse themselves by setting 

 them. The flesh is very like that of a chicken. The velvety fur is used 

 to make purses. 



The family Echemgid^E or Spring Rats, is best known as the CoYPU 

 or large beaver-like water-rat of Peru and Chili. It is divided into ten 

 genera, two of which inhabit South Africa, but all the rest are confined 

 to the continent of South Am erica east of the Andes. 



