CitiNciiiLLiDyE. MAMMALIA. Chinchillid^e. 141 
also an inhabitant of Chili, possessing habits very simi- 
lar to the above. The fur is glossy, and displays a 
rich purple-broAVTi and blackish tint. The incisors are 
smooth and of a pale yellow colour in front. The 
molars are so uniformly indented 
on either side, that each resembles 
a figure of eight. The ears are 
very small, the tail being parti- 
cularly short. The claws of the 
feet are compressed and curved 
inwards; those of the fore-feet 
are rather shorter than the toes. 
BENNETT’S HABKOCOME 
{Hdbrocoma Bemiettii) and an- 
other species — H. Cuvicri — 
constitute a distinct genus, which 
in the structure of the skeleton, 
approaches very closely to the 
Chinchillas. The auditory hullcB 
are remarkably large, while there 
are no less than seventeen pairs 
of ribs. The incisor teeth are 
narrow; the crowns of the superior 
molars have a single fold inter- 
nally, those of the lower being- 
angular in form and directed 
obliquely forward. These animals 
have rather large and thinly- 
haired cars. The whiskers are 
particularly long. The feet are four-toed, and the 
tail is moderately developed. The fur is very soft 
and thick. 
THE BRAZILIAN CTENOMYS (Ctenomys Brazilien- 
sis) is an inhabitant of the continent from whence it 
owes its specific name, and also of La Plata, Paraguay, 
and Bolivia. The molar teeth are simple, decreasing 
in size from before backwards; the last has a semi- 
cylindrical form, that of the upper series being ob- 
liquely lunated, with the concavity directed outwards, 
whilst that of the lower group is oval. The eyes are 
small, the ears only rudimentary ; the tail being rather 
short and covered with adpressed hairs. The fore- 
feet are furnished with powerful claws, at the base of 
which are numerous strong bristle-like hairs directed 
inwards. Its habits resemble those of the family 
generally. Several other species are known. 
Family IX.— CHINCHILLID^. 
The Chinchillas are closely allied to the previous 
family, having four rootless molars on either side of 
each jaw, and simple, smooth incisors ; the molar teeth 
being made up of narrow, parallel plates of denture, 
transversely disposed and surrounded by enamel. In 
addition to these characteristic marks, the Chinchillas 
have their posterior limbs nearly twice as long as the 
anterior pair. The tail is also much developed, and 
tufted with long bristly hairs at the extremity. The 
ears are remarkably large, the internal auditory bullce 
being also extensively developed. The cla-vicles are 
well formed. The Chinchillas are natives of the South 
American continent. 
THE CHINCHILLA {Chinchilla lanigera) measures 
about nine inches long, exclusive of the tail, which 
would add some five or six inches more. The fur has 
an ashy-grey coloiu generally, being much paler under- 
The Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). 
neath. The eyes are large and' full, wdiile the broad 
ears are particularly attractive ; the whiskers are cor- 
respondingly extensive (fig. 48). The anterior feet 
are pentadactylous, the internal toe or thumb being- 
very small ; the posterior feet have only four digits. 
The fur is beautifully soft and delicate, and conse- 
quently fetches a comparatively high price ; multitudes 
being destroyed annually for the purposes of sale, &c. 
In regard to its habits, the best account that w’e have 
is that given by the Italian naturalist, Molina. “ This 
little animal,” he says, “ lives in burrow^s under ground, 
in the open country in the northern provinces of Chili, 
and is very fond of being in company with others of its 
species. It feeds upon the roots of various bulbous 
plants, which grow abundantly in those parts ; and pro- 
duces rivice a year five or six young ones. It is so 
docile and mild in temper, that if taken into the hands 
it neither bites nor tries to escape, but seems to take a 
pleasure in being caressed. If placed in the bosom, 
it remains there as still and quiet as if it were in its 
own nest. This extraordinary placidity may possibly 
be rather due to its pusillanimity, which renders it 
extremely timid. As it is in itself peculiarly cleanly, 
there can be no fear of its soiling the clothes of those 
wdio handle it, or of its communicating any bad smell 
to them, for it is entirely free from that ill odour which 
characterizes the other species of rats. For this reason 
it might well be kept in houses without annoj^ance and 
at a trifling expens#, which would be abundantly repaid 
by the profits on its wool. The ancient Peruvians, w'ho 
w'ere far more industrious than the modern, made 
coverlets for beds and valuable stuffs out of this fur.” 
The Chinchillas are fortunately extremely prolific, 
otherwise they would have been extinct long ago. A 
Fig. 48. 
