AN ANIMAL WITH A HISTORY 251 



therefore is common in zoological gardens. It is highly 

 aquatic in its habits, but, unlike the disappointing beaver, 

 it spends about half its time on land and therefore can be 

 seen to good advantage. 



This animal has a long history. Years ago, its fur was 

 much used in the manufacture of "beaver" hats. Because 

 of this demand, the Coypu was, years ago, so persistently 

 hunted that it became scarce; and then a substitute for its 

 fur had to be found. In color it is yellowish brown, and its 

 coarse outer hair grows through and overlies a coat of fine, 

 soft under-fur. If the fur of this animal ever should attain 

 a value of $10 per skin, or more (which may easily come to 

 pass), it will pay to breed it on a commercial basis, for it 

 breeds readily in captivity, and is quite hardy. In self- 

 defence, however, the author now gives notice that he posi- 

 tively will not answer innumerable letters of inquiry regarding 

 this animal — or, for that matter, any other fur-bearing animal. 

 He has fully served his time in that line of benevolence. 



Live specimens of the Coypu Rat cost $8 each, and they 

 can be purchased of Carl Hagenbeck, Stellingen, Hamburg, 

 Germany. In captivity it feeds on ears of corn, stale bread, 

 cabbage, and the bark of green maple and poplar branches. 



In length of head and body the Coypu Rat measures 

 about 19 inches, and its round, naked tail has a length of 

 about 13 inches or thereabouts. Its shoulder height is S^ 

 inches, and its weight is 8 pounds. In its South American 

 home the Coypu inhabits central Peru to central Patagonia. 



