Another little rodent, very similar to the bizcacha of the Pampas, lives
high up on the mountain, often at an elevation of 12,000 feet. It
resembles the rabbit, but its ears are shorter, and its tail is long and
rough.
Nearly related to it, and inhabiting the same region, is the
chinchilla--a pretty little creature, rather larger than a squirrel,
with great brilliant eyes, an erect tail, strong bristles on the upper
lip, and rounded, almost naked ears. Its beautifully soft fur is much
valued by ladies in Europe. It covers in certain districts the slopes
of the Andes with its burrows, which trip up many an unwary horseman--
greatly to its surprise and alarm, as its only object in forming them is
to have a quiet home of its own, where it can bring up its young, and
enjoy the roots which it collects, and on which it feeds at its leisure.