. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. GNAWERS. 1]*{ riea; nor is at all known in the Old World. It is, however, very common in Brazil, Guiana, St. Domingo, and all the islands around. To the cold and temperate regions of America this animal is an utter stranger. The Capybara, or Chiguira is the largest of all the Gnawers. At first sight it looks very like a pig, and its skin is covered thinly with hairs like bristles, which add to the resem- blance. It inh
. Illustrated natural history : comprising descriptions of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, etc., with sketches of their peculiar habits and characteristics . Zoology. GNAWERS. 1]*{ riea; nor is at all known in the Old World. It is, however, very common in Brazil, Guiana, St. Domingo, and all the islands around. To the cold and temperate regions of America this animal is an utter stranger. The Capybara, or Chiguira is the largest of all the Gnawers. At first sight it looks very like a pig, and its skin is covered thinly with hairs like bristles, which add to the resem- blance. It inhabits the borders of lakes and rivers in many parts ol Southern America. During the day, it hides among the thick herbage of the banks, only wandering forth to feed at night, but when alarmed, it instantly makes for the water, and escapes by diving. It is hunted for the sake of its flesh, which is said to be remarkably good. The Jaguar appears to be of the same opinion, for he is the most terrible enemy of this creature, destroying im- mense numbers. The food of the Capybara consists of grass, vegetables, and fruits. Its length is about three feet six inches. The Guinea-pig, or Cavy was originally brought from South America, and is frequently domesticated in other countries. Its beauty is its only recommendation, as it shows little intelligence, and is never used for fpod. Children, however, and particularly schoolboys, are fond of keeping Guinea-pigs, as they are wonder- fully prolific, easy to manage, and do not make much noise. They are popularly supposed to keep off rats, and are therefore usually patronized in connection with rabbit-hutches. The Marmot.—Among the hare kind is the Marmot, which naturalists have placed either among the hare kind or the rat kind, as it suited their respective systems. In fact, it beara no great resemblance to either: but of the two it ap- proaches much nearer the hare, as well in the make of its head as in its size, and particularly in its
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1883
