THE CAPYBARA. 579 
The Dusky PACA is really a pretty animal, the rows of white spots which decorate its 
sides standing out in pleasing contrast to the rich black-brown hue with which the 
remainder of the fur is tinged. The throat and abdomen are white, and the lowermost of 
the four rows of white spots is often nearly merged into the white fur of the under portions 
of the body. The colouring is rather variable in different individuals. The paws are light 
flesh-colour, and the large full eyes are dark brown. The total length of this animal is 
about two feet. 
Tn its native land it is quite as destructive as the agouti, and, like that animal, is a 
terrible foe to the sugar-canes, which are too frequently destroy ed in great quantities by 
the nocturnal visits of the Paca. The agerieved planters retaliate ‘by making diurnal 
attacks on the Paca burrows when they know the animal will be at home ; and by stopping 
up two of the three entrances which lead to the secret chamber of the midnight robber, are 
enabled to dislodge the hidden animal from its retreat. When hard pressed, the Paca 
turns fiercely on its assailant, and fights desperately in defence of itself and its home. 
It is an active animal, in spite of its clumsy looks, and not only runs with considerable 
speed, but is a good swimmer, and can jump well. 
The favourite localities of the Pacas are in wooded districts, in marshy grounds, or 
near the banks of rivers. Their domiciles are excavated in the ground, but are at no 
great depth, and are remarkable for the admirable state of cleanliness in which they are 
preserved by the inhabitants. The burrows are often so shallow that their roofs cannot 
support any superincumbent weight, and will give way under the tread of man or 
horse. 
When properly dressed by being scalded and roasted, the flesh of the Paca is much 
esteemed, although it is too rich and fat to please the palates of some persons. The fur is 
of little value, being short and harsh, so that the skin of the Paca is useless until it has 
been deprived of hair and tanned. The Paca is only moderately intelligent ; and when in 
captivity appears, like the agouti, to lose a great portion of the bright intelligence which 
characterises its wild nature. It appears to take great care of its fur, and is as fastidious 
in its toilet as the domestic cat, washing itself in the same manner, and combing itself 
carefully with the claws of its hind and fore feet. 
FEW persons, on seeing a CaApyBARA for the first time, would be inclined to class it 
with the animals to which it is so nearly related. The great size, the harsh, coarse hair, 
more like the bristles of a hog than the soft, delicate fur, whieh clothes the generality of 
rodent animals, the hoof- like toes, and the heavy, clumsy bearing of the animal, are so 
swinish in appearance that any ordinary spectator might well imagine that he saw before 
him a very curious example of the wild-hogs. In allusion to the external resemblance 
which this animal bears to the swine, it has received the name of Hydrochcerus, or Water 
Hog. It is a native of Southern America, and has a rather wide range. 
"The Capybara is the largest of all the living rodent animals, rather exceeding three feet 
in total length, and being so bulkily made that when it walks its abdomen nearly touches 
the eround. The muzzle of this animal is heavy and blunt, the eyes are set high in the 
head, and are moderate in size, the tail is wanting, and the toes are partially connected 
together by a development of the skin. The colour of the Capybara is rather indetermi- 
nate, owing to the manner in which the hairs are marked with black and yellow, so that 
the general idea which its coat presents is a dingy, blackish-grey, with a tinge of yellow. 
The hairs are rather long, and fall heavily over the body. The incisor teeth are of enormous 
dimensions, and the molars are very curiously formed, presenting some analogy to those 
of the elephant. 
It is a water-loving animal, using its webbed feet with great power, and fleeing 
instinctively to the stream when terrified by real or imaginary danger. It not only swims 
well, but is a good diver ; and when endeavouring to escape from a foe, alw ys tries to 
evade its pursuer by diving as long as its breath will hold out, and only perm’ .ting the top 
of its head to appear above the surface when it rises for the purpose of respiration. As, 
however, it can remain under water for a space of eight or ten minutes, it finds no 
difficulty in escaping from any ordinary foe, if it can only gain the shelter of the welcome 
PP 2 
