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on the fore-feet. Added to this, their ears and their tail are 
longer, and their shape is more elegant. These are the principal 
features which justify their being placed in a separate genus. 
They are natives of the Bolivian, Peruvian, and Chilian Andes, 
and in their habits differ but little from Chinchillas. Their 
coat is as soft as that of the latter animal, but of a less uniform 
shade of colour. In spite of this it possesses value. 
The Viscacha Genus . — These animals (Fig. 193) are character- 
ised by a very thick snout, furnished with black strong feelers, 
by a moderately- sized tail of a brush-like shape, four toes 
on the front feet, and three on the hind, the latter armed with 
Fig. 193. — The Marmot Diana Viscache ( Lagostomus trichadactylus). 
strong claws. Added to this, their hind-legs are longer than 
their fore-legs, and they leap like the Jerboas. This latter 
feature, however, is much less exaggerated in the Yiscacha than 
in the Jerboa. 
The habitat of these animals is the vast plains or pampas of 
South America, or the basin of La Plata river. Thej 7 live in 
communities, and hollow out very deep burrows. Grasses and 
vegetables constitute the chief part of their food. Their usual 
posture is that generally assumed by Babbits ; and they use their 
feet to convey their food into their mouths. Their movements 
are very active, and they are excessively wary and difficult of 
