GNA-WERS. 117 



he caught any of ttcm in the fact, he instantly punished them as 

 an example to the rest. Another instance of his superiority was, 

 that having accustomed them to come to me with the call of a 

 whistle, the instant this signal was given, I saw him marshalling 

 them up, leading them the foremost, and then suflFering them all 

 to file off before him." 



Thj! Chinchilla lives in society like the rabbit, and resides 

 in burrows dug in the ground. Its food is entirely vegetable, and 

 principally consists of bulbous roots. In captivity it is quiet and 

 inoffensive, but seems to betray no particular attachment to its 

 keeper ; neither does it seem playful. Its tail, covered with long 

 bushy hairs, is usually held turned up over its back, like that of 

 the squirrel, and probably for the same reason. This pretty little 

 animal is an inhabitant of the valleys in the mountain districts of 

 South America. In such situations the cold is often very intense ; 

 but the long soft fur of the Chinchilla forms an effectual protec- 

 tion against the frosts. The fur is extensively used for clothing, 

 and celebrated for its soft and warm texture. Numbers of these 

 animals are annually destroyed for the sake of their skins. Co- 

 quimbo appears to be the place where they are taken in the greatest 

 numbers. From the various specimens of fur sent to the United 

 States, it would appear that there are two species of Chinchilla, but 

 it is not quite certain. The length of the Chinchilla is about nine 

 inches, exclusive of its tail, which measures about five. 



The Squirrel is a beautiful little animal, which is but 

 half savage ; and which, from the gentleness and innocence of its 

 manners, deserves our protection. It is neither carnivorous nor 

 hurtful : its usual food is fruits, nuts, and acorns ; it is cleanly, 

 nimble, active, and industrious j its eyes are sparkling, and its 

 physiognomy marked with meaning. It generally, like- the hare 

 and rabbit, sits up on its hinder legs ; and uses the fore paws as 

 hands ; these have five claws or toes, as they are called, and one 

 of them is separated from the rest like a thumb. This animal 

 seems to approach the nature of birds, from its lightness, and sur- 

 prising agility on the tops of trees. It seldom, descends to the 

 ground, except in case of storm, but jumps from one branch to 



