MR.  E.  T.  BENNETT  ON  THE  CHINCHILLID^. 
41 
burrows  in  the  more  elevated  parts  of  the  plains  with  so  much  art,  that  no  aperture  is 
left  by  which  the  rain  can  penetrate ;  and  these  burrows  are  divided  into  distinct 
settlements,  numerous  families  inhabiting  the  same  locality.  On  the  surface  of  the 
ground  are  several  entrances  to  the  burrow,  at  which,  towards  sunset,  they  are  seen 
seated  in  crowds,  diligently  listening  for  the  sound  of  any  person  approaching.  If 
everything  remains  quiet,  they  seek  their  food  in  the  obscurity  of  the  night,  and  com- 
mit grievous  devastation  on  the  neighbouring  fields,  devouring  both  wheat  and  Indian 
corn  with  extreme  avidity,  and  when  either  is  to  be  had  despising  grass.  For  this 
reason  the  stations  of  the  Biscachas  are  rarely  to  be  seen  in  the  desert  plains,  but  in- 
dicate with  certainty  the  near  neighbourhood  of  the  Spanish  settlements.  I  have  often 
wondered  nev^er  to  have  seen  the  Biscacha  in  the  territories  either  of  the  Abipones  or 
the  Guaranis,  although  well-supplied  with  all  kinds  of  crops.  They  daily  heap  up  at 
the  entrances  of  their  burrow,  dry  bones,  chips  of  wood,  or  whatever  other  refuse  they 
may  meet  with ;  but  for  what  purposes  they  collect  such  things  it  is  impossible  even  to 
conjecture.  The  Spanish  colonists  sometimes  amuse  themselves  with  hunting  them ; 
pouring  many  buckets  of  water  into  their  subterraneous  retreats,  until,  to  avoid  drowning, 
the  animals  come  forth  into  the  plain,  where,  no  means  of  escape  being  afforded  them, 
they  are  killed  with  sticks.  Their  flesh,  unless  when  very  old,  is  not  considered  despi- 
cable, even  by  the  Spaniards." 
The  Essay  on  the  Natural  History  of  the  Province  of  Gran  Chaco  by  the  Abbe  Jolis', 
appears  to  be  so  little  known  to  naturalists,  although  containing  much  original  and  in- 
teresting information,  that  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  seen  it  quoted.  Its  author, 
a  Spaniard,  dwelt  for  twelve  years  in  South  America,  and  made  three  journeys  into  the 
remote  districts  of  the  interior.  His  account  of  the  Biscacha,  in  many  particulars,  re- 
sembles that  of  DobrizhofFer,  but  differs  so  much  in  others,  that  it  seems  desirable, 
especially  considering  the  rarity  of  the  work,  to  translate  it  at  length,  at  the  risk  of 
being  a  little  tedious.  "  The  Biscachas,"  he  says,  "  resemble  our  hares,  but  have  their 
bodies  visibly  somewhat  curved  and  arched.  They  live  in  society  in  burrows  under 
ground,  which  they  form  for  themselves,  excavating  in  all  directions  to  the  extent  of  a 
mile  in  circumference,  with  various  exits,  and  separate  retreats,  in  which  the  old  live 
distinct  from  the  younger.  The  soil  in  which  these  are  usually  made,  is  that  which  is 
hard  and  barren,  and  destitute  of  everything,  but  with  brushes  at  no  great  distance, 
and  pasture  of  tender  grass,  roots,  and  the  bark  of  trees.  They  collect  around  their 
retreats  bones,  dried  leaves,  and  whatever  they  find  in  the  neighbourhood.    If  any  thing 
ossa  arida,  lignorum  segmenta,  et  quidquid  quisquiliarum  invenerint,  congerunt  quotidie.  Sed  quos  demum  in 
usus  sibi  reservent  talia,  nemo  unus  vel  conjectuni  assequatur.  Dlarum  venatione  tempus  fallunt  aliquando 
Hispani  ruricolse.  In  earum  subterranea  latibula  aquse  cantharos  efFundunt  plurimos.  Ne  submergantur,  iu 
campum  prosiliunt  bestiae,  et  nullius  efFugii  opportunitate  sibi  relicta,  stipitibus  necantur.  Illarum  carnem,  nisi 
admodum  vetulse  sint,  ne  Hispani  quidem  aspernantur."  Vol.  i.  p.  306-7. 
^  Saggio  suUa  Storia  Naturale  della  Provincia  del  Gran  Chaco,  torn.  i.  Faenza,  1789. 
VOL.  I.  G 
