Print of steel engraving titled „Chinchella. Chinche“.

Drawn by Vernier.

Engraved by Chaillot.

From „l‘Univers. Histoire et Description de tous les peuples. Amerique Meridionale, iles diverses de l‘Ocean et regions circompolaires. Chili, Paraguay, Uruguay, Buenos-Ayres, Patoganie, Terre-du-Feu et Archipel des Malouines, iles diverses“ by M. Cesar Famin, M. Frederic Lacroix. Published by Firmin Didot Freres, Editeurs. Paris. 1856.

Chinchillas are crepuscular rodents, slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels. They are native to the Andes mountains in South America and live in colonies called "herds" at high elevations up to 4,270 m (14,000 ft). Historically, chinchillas lived in an area that included parts of Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile, but today colonies in the wild are known only in Chile. Along with their relatives, viscachas, they make up the family Chinchillidae.The chinchilla (whose name literally means "little chincha") is named after the Chincha people of the Andes, who once wore its dense, velvet-like fur. By the end of the 19th century, chinchillas had become quite rare due to hunting for their ultra-soft fur. Most chinchillas currently used by the fur industry for clothing and other accessories are farm-raised.

Skunks are mammals known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong odor. Different species of skunk vary in appearance from black-and-white to brown or cream colored, but all have warning coloration.

Approx. image size 13, 8 x 8, 9/22, 3 x 13, 9 cm. Condition: good.