“This animal, known by the name of Aperea, is exceedingly common in the
neighbourhood of the several towns which stand on the banks of the Rio
Plata. It frequents different kinds of stations,—such as hedge-rows made
of the Agave and Opuntia, or sand hillocks, or again, marshy places
covered with aquatic plants;—the latter appearing to be its favourite
haunt. Where the soil is dry, it makes a burrow; but where otherwise, it
lives concealed amidst the herbage. These animals generally come out to
feed in the evening, and are then tame; but if the day be gloomy, they
make their appearance in the morning. They are said to be very injurious
to young trees. An old male killed at Maldonado, weighed 1 lb. 3 oz. In
all the specimens I saw there, (during June, or winter,) I observed,
that the hair was attached to the skin less firmly than in any other
animal I remember to have seen.”—D.