THE FAUNA OF THE CACAO FIELD 123 



fungi so much as a gunshot wound, and the work of 

 destroying animals by this means should only be entrusted 

 to men who know the direct effects caused by wounds 

 of this character. On estates where free use of the gun 

 is allowed to ignorant persons there is sure to be a large 

 number of trees infected by wound fungi. 



No. 28 and No. 28a. Rat. — There are several destruc- 

 tive species of this animal present in Trinidad, some of 

 which are reported to be hybrids of Mus rattus, Linn., 

 and Mus alexandrinus, Geoffr. Loncheres Guianoe, 

 Thomas, is also reported a fruit-eater by Chapman. The 

 greatest damage is done, however, by the common rat, 

 Mus alexandrinus, which destroys cacao pods in large 

 nmnbers. Their numbers have been kept in check of 

 recent years, but Tobago estates still suffer. Control : 

 Poisons, virus, and traps. 



No. 29. " Manicou Gros Yeaux " {Didelphis sp.). — This 

 little " Opossum," only slightly larger than a rat, does a 

 considerable amount of injury by eating pods. It has 

 recently been determined by Chapman that more than 

 one species is common to the island, one of which he 

 determines as Philander trinitatis (Thomas), and another 

 as Marmosa murina (Linn.). 



No. 30. " Lapp " {Ccelogenys paca). — This is a small 

 animal nearly related to the common guinea-pig or " cavy " 

 and is often found upon the woodland estates in Trinidad. 

 It is often hunted for its flesh, which is considered a great 

 delicacy, to which the author can amply testify. A loin 

 orleg of " Lapp " is a dish fit for a king. Although it is a 

 vegetable feeder, it is not common enough to do serious 

 damage. 



No. 31. " Agouti " {Dasyprocta aguti). — ^This is an 

 animal of the same class as the Lapp, and is also used for 

 food. Its flesh when cooked has a flavour which is 

 compared to that of the hare {Lepus). It does no appre- 

 ciable damage. 



No. 32. " Quenk " (Dicotyles tajacu, Linn.). — This 

 animal is the " Wild Hog " of Trinidad. It only appears 



