HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



347 



furrow, which feems like the termination of the jaw, 

 and has the appearance of an opening of the mouth ; its 

 upper jaw projects beyond the under; it has two ftrong 

 yellow cutting-teeth in each jaw, its mouth is fmall, and 

 its upper lip is divided; it has long whifkers on its lips, 

 and on each fide of its head, und^r the ears ; its legs arc 

 fhort ; it has four toes on the fore feet, and three on the 

 hind ; it has no tail. 



The Spotted Cavy is a native of South-America, and 

 lives on the banks of rivers in warm and moid places. 

 It digs holes in the ground, fecretes itfelf during the day, 

 and goes out at night in queft of food. 



Its motions are heavy and ungraceful. It runs feldom, 

 and with extreme aukwardnefs ; fits frequently upon its 

 pofteriors ; and, in that fituation, fmooths and drefles it- 

 felf with its paws, drawing them over its body with the 

 utmofl: nicety. 



It is a cleanly animal, and will not bear the fmalleft 

 degree of dirtinefs in its apartment. 



In a domeftic fttae, it is gentle and traaable, fond of 

 attention, and licks the hand of any one that carefles it. 

 When irritated, it is apt to bite. Its anger is exprefled 

 by chattering its teeth, and is always preceded by a kind 



of grunting. It feeds on grain, roots, fruits, and al- 



moft every kind of vegetable. 



When purfued, it takes to the water, and efcapcs by 

 diving. If attacked by Dogs, it makes a vigorous de- 

 fence. 



Its flefh is eftemed a great delicacy by the natives of 

 Brazil. 



We have been minute in our defcription of this curi- 

 ous little animal, which was drawn from the life ; and 

 think there is great reafon to conclude, that the fpecies 



