CHINCHE. 
appears to be the same animal with the Chin- 
cille mentioned by Acosta. ^' The Chln- 
cilles,"^ Acosta remarks, " are small animals 
like Squirrels, and their hair is wonderfully 
soft and smootli. They are foiand in the Sitrre 
of Peru." 
There seem to be varieties of the Chlnche, 
if we may judge from it's colours. The sides 
of these animals are sometimes black ; and^ 
sometimes, a dark or dusky chocolate brown. 
The stripe of black on the back, also, though 
generally extending about half way along the 
back from the tail, is sometimes seen to ap~ 
pix)ach the neck. The tail, too, though usu- 
ally black, is often white , and sometimes 
black, or chocolate brown, and while only at 
the sides and tips, or the tip alone. 
The Chinche is said to be prodigiously fond 
of eggs ; and it's liesh, notwithstanding the 
foatid smell of the animal, is cor.sidered by the 
Indians "as a great debcacy. 
