. Natural history. Zoology. MAMMALS THAT GNAW. 115. by the animals themselves, which in former days absolutely swarmed on the pampas. Consequently for years the estancieros have waged incessant war agauist these Rodents, with the result that in the parts of Argentina which have been longest under cultivation one may ride for miles without coming across a warren. The two genera of this South and Central American and West Indian family include a small number of relatively large, terrestrial Rodents, characterised by the fore and hind-limbs being of nearly equal length, and having their toes furn
. Natural history. Zoology. MAMMALS THAT GNAW. 115. by the animals themselves, which in former days absolutely swarmed on the pampas. Consequently for years the estancieros have waged incessant war agauist these Rodents, with the result that in the parts of Argentina which have been longest under cultivation one may ride for miles without coming across a warren. The two genera of this South and Central American and West Indian family include a small number of relatively large, terrestrial Rodents, characterised by the fore and hind-limbs being of nearly equal length, and having their toes furnished Avith hoof-like claws, by the Agutis and short or rudimental tail, the very imperfect collar-bones, the Paoas.—Family broad palate, long incisors, and the partially rooted molars, Dasyproctidm. in which the foldings of enamel form notches on the two sides of the crowns. The agutis (Dasyprocta) are rather delicately built animals, witli long limbs and three hind-toes, ranging from the confines of Mexico to Paraguay, and represented by a single outlying species in the West Indies. On the other hand, the pacas (Ccelogenys), which are found from Ecua- dor to Brazil and Paraguay, are larger and more heavily-built animals, with five toes to the hind-feet, and further char- acterised by the longitudinal rows of light-coloured spots on the fur, and the enormous hollow, bony capsules formed by the expanded bones of the cheeks. Branick's paca (Dmomys), of which only pig^ (Dasyproda). a single specimen from Peru has hitherto been obtained, is distinguished from the Dasyproctldce by the cleft upper-lip, somewhat long and bushy tail, the presence of four toes to each foot, and the complete collar-bones ; and is accordingly regarded as the representative of a separate family. The next of these South American families is that of the cavies, and includes large or small heavily-built Rodents, with four front and three hind-toes, rudimental or short tails, and the cheek teeth d
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