408 
VERTEBRATA. 
the mustaches strong. They have a movement similar to that of the rats, live in the woods and 
plantations, and have often been compared to rabbits. They are herbivorous, and easily climb 
trees. There are three species, all of the Island of Cuba. 
Fournier's Capromys, or the Short-tailed Capromys, C Fournieri, the Isodon pilorides of 
Say, is blackish-brown above, and grayish-white beneath; the body is fourteen inches long, and 
the tail, Avhich is scaly like that of the rats, is six. It is called HvAia Congo in Cuba, and is capa- 
ble of being tamed. 
The Prehensile-tailed Capromys, the Capromys prehensilis^ is known in Cuba by the name 
of Hutia Carahali, and is said to confine itself to parts of the forests which are remote from the 
habitations of man, and to be more shy and less tamable than the preceding. Like this, it is 
an expert climber, and confines itself to the uppermost branches of trees. The tail, which is of 
moderate length, is prehensile at the extremity ; the animal, assisted by this organ, is enabled to 
cling with secui-ity to the small twigs of the trees, or to the parasitic plants with which they are 
overgrown, and among which it usually conceals itself. 
Poey's Capromys, C. Poeyii, is of a chestnut- color, spotted with red and yellow. 
Genus PLAGIODONTIA : Plagiodontia, — Of this a single genus is known, the P. cedium. It 
inhabits the Island of St. Domingo, and is nearly allied to the capromys of the neighboring Island 
of Cuba. Its short and naked tail, combined with certain differences observable in the structure 
of the molar teeth, furnish the chief distinguishing characters. It is generally of a light-brown 
color above, and whitish-yellow below. It often visits the houses by day, but departs at night. 
It lives on fruits and vegetables, and like other animals which have a vegetable diet, is good food. 
THE COYPU. 
Genus MYOPOTAMUS : Myopotamus. — Of this there is a single species, the well-known 
CoYPU, M. Coypus; the Coypu Bat of Shaw. This has ears of moderate size; fur long; up- 
per parts of the animal penciled with dusky and brownish-yellow in about equal proportions ; 
sides and under parts of the prevailing tint, brown-yellow; tip of muzzle and chin white; a 
yellow patch immediately beneath the ear opening ; feet dusky-brown. In size it is nearly equal 
to the beaver, and bears a considerable superficial resemblance to that animal ; its tail, however, 
is cylindrical, has a scaly skin, and is scantily clothed with hairs, short and stiff', like that of the 
rat. The hair is fine and silky, and has at the base a wool similar to that of the beaver; it is 
