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Show 160 DIt. E. A. GUELDI OX THE [June 7. pyramidal, while that of the Paca is subconical, due to its prominent cheek-bones and bulging eyes and the more slender snout. The former thus resembles more the head of the Oapybara. What gives to the head a peculiar martial aspect are the immense white whiskers, equal in length to the animal's head, forming a thick tuft 011 each side. The nostrils are S-shaped, and have the same valvular arrangement for closing the aperture as the Manatee, for example, showing that the animal is adapted to a semi-aquatic life. While the prominent eyes of the Paca, like large black beads, have a glaring glossy aspect, the eyes of the Dinomys are not at all prominent, are of a soft light brown colour, the pupil being a vertical slit during the hours of daylight. They are thus of similar appearance to the eyes of certain smaller Didelphyidae (Didelphys quica, &c.) and of the large Two-clawed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus) ; and this similarity naturally leads to the conclusion that the animal is rather of nocturnal habits-a conclusion which is corroborated by actual observation. Both front and hind feet are four-toed. The general build of Dinomys is thick-set and inclined to corpulency. Due to the fact of setting the whole plantigrade sole on the ground, the hind feet especially, the Dinomys has a waddling gait, and reminds one of an immense rat well advanced in development towards a bear. Both my specimens of Dinomys are of a peaceful, phlegmatic disposition ; they are most excellent boarders in our Zoological Garden, and cause very little trouble on condition of having enough to eat. They devour prodigious heaps of provender, eating being one of their principal occupations both day and night. As far as observed up to the present, they show a preference for bread, squashes, and fruit of different indigenous palm-trees, such as the orange-coloured " Tucuma " (Astrocaryum tucuma). While eating, their favourite position is standing erect on the hind feet, and in this attitude there is a good opportunity of admiring the dexterous manner in which they can hold a fruit in their paws, notwithstanding the lack of the counter-pressure of a thumb. Such a fruit revolves in their grasp as though it were in the chuck of a slowly-turning lathe, and the large chips which Hv fill us with respect for the immense gouging faculty of the large but comparatively slightly prominent incisors. The erect position while eating -which is the only attitude thus far observed while taking food reminds one more of the " Cutia" (Dasyprocta) among the larger South-American Rodents, and forms a noteworthy difference from the " Paca," which I have never seen eating in any other position than on all fours. The predominant feature of the character of Dinomys is a combination of leisurely movements and supreme good nature. It knows absolutely nothing of haste. Spending the greater part of the day sleeping in a corner-the mother often lying upon the young one, or standing over it, as if to protect and to keep it warm-opening its half-closed eyes only when it hears the |
