616 THE COLLARED PECCARY. 



the alarm. If the slain animal should not leap from the hollow, but fall dead at its post, the 

 carcase is pushed out of the hole by the next in succession, who then assumes the part of 

 sentinel without displaying any alarm. The other method requires the co-operation of two 

 hunters, and is managed by one getting above the mouth of the hole and pinning the foremost 

 Peccary to the ground with a pitchfork, while the other despatches it with a sword. 



The food of the common Peccary is of a very varied character, and consists of fruits, seeds, 

 grain, roots, reptiles, small birds and their eggs, and, indeed, of almost anything vegetable or 

 animal which can be swallowed. The flesh of the Peccary is not of much value, as during 

 many parts of the year it is wholly uneatable, on account of an odoriferous gland in the back, 

 which taints the meat to such an extent that it cannot be eaten. The flesh of the male is at 

 all times very unpleasant, but that of the female is in some months tolerably good, and has 

 been compared to that of the hare. At the best, however, it is dry and insipid, as there is no 

 fat or lard to be found in the Peccary. In all cases, the gland must be removed as soon as 

 the animal is dead, for if it be permitted to remain but for a single hour, its effects will be 

 perceptible throughout the entire body. 



The common Peccary is not so harmful to the agriculturist as its large relation, and as it 

 destroys such large number of reptiles, is probably rather beneficial than otherwise. The 

 color of the Peccary is a grizzled brown, with the exception of a white stripe that is drawn 

 over the neck, and has earned for the animal the name of the Collared Peccary. 



THE TAGNICATE, or WHITE-LIPPED PECCARY, is larger than the preceding animal, assem- 

 bles in larger herds, is fiercer in its disposition, and works more woe to the farmer. 



The White-lipped Peccary derives its name from a band of white hairs that crosses the 

 upper jaw, and covers nearly the whole of the lower. The color of the adult animal is Black- 

 brown, flecked with a gray grizzle, but when young it is striped after the manner of the bosch- 

 vark. A slight mane runs along its neck, and its ears are fringed with long and stiff hairs. 

 It is a most mischievous animal, as it makes long marches over the country, ravaging the 

 crops in its progress, and always choosing, with a perversely excellent taste, the best maize 

 and grass. The cry of the Peccary is a sharp shrill grunt. When angry, the Peccary clashes 

 its teeth smartly together, producing a sound which is recognizable at some distance, and is 

 very useful to the hunters, as it serves to give timely notice of the animal's approach. 



The generic name, Dicotyles, signifies "double-cupped," and is given to the animal on 

 account of the peculiar open gland upon the back. This species is a good swimmer, and often 

 crosses rivers of its own accord. As, however, it loses all its offensive powers while in the 

 water, the Indians watch the opportunity, and by dashing among the floating animals, kill as 

 many as they choose without any danger. 



FAMILY SurD^;, the Hogs, has five genera and twenty-two species. The Peccaries are the 

 only ones inhabiting this Continent. Two species are recognized. 



