THE CHINCHILLA. 
11 
thought necessary to keep it during the winter in a 
moderately warm room, and a piece of flannel was even 
introduced into its sleeping apartment for its greater 
comfort. But this indulgence was most pertinaciously 
rejected, and as often as the flannel was replaced, so 
often was it dragged by the little animal into the outer 
compartment of its cage, where it amused itself with 
pulling it about, rolling it up and shaking it with its 
feet and teeth. In other respects it exhibits but little 
playfulness, and gives few signs of activity ; seldom 
disturbing its usual quietude by any sudden or extra- t 
ordinary gambols, but occasionally displaying strong 
symptoms of alarm when startled by any unusual occur- 
rence. It is, in fact, a remarkably tranquil and peace- 
able animal unless when its timidity gets the better of 
its gentleness. 
A second individual of this interesting species has 
lately been added to the collection by the kindness of 
Lady Knighton, in whose possession it had remained 
for twelve months previously to her presenting it to the 
Society. This specimen is larger in size and rougher 
in its fur than the one above described ; its colour is 
also less uniformly gray, deriving a somewhat mottled 
appearance from the numerous small blackish spots 
which are scattered over the back and sides. It is 
possible that this may be the Peruvian variety, men- 
tioned in the extract from Schmidtmeyer's Travels as 
furnishing a less delicate and valuable fur than the 
Chilian animal. It is equally good tempered and mild 
in its disposition ; and, probably in consequence of 
having been domiciliated in a private house instead of 
having been exhibited in a public collection, is much 
more tame and playful. In its late abode it was fre- 
quently suffered to run about the room, when it would 
show off" its agility by leaping to the height of the 
