108 ETHIOPIAN HOG. 



and fruit, they feed on all kinds of reptiles and serpents. 

 The latter they hold down with their feet, and very dex- 

 terously skin, before they eat them. Naturally of fierce 

 disposition, they fight courageously with beasts of prey. 

 Dogs will scarcely attack them ; and, if wounded, they 

 will turn on the hunter. Their voice resembles the grunt- 

 ing of the common hog ; but is stronger, and more power- 

 ful. On their back, near the rump, there is an open 

 gland, which constantly discharges a fetid and unctuous 

 liquid. Their flesh is much esteemed as food, if this gland 

 be cut out immediately after they are killed ; but if it be 

 suffered to remain, the fetid matter soon taints the whole 

 carcass. 



The general form of the Pecary, though smaller and 

 somewhat more slender, a good deal resembles that of 

 the hog. It is entirely destitute of tail. The ears are 

 short and erect. The neck is short and thick. The 

 bristles are almost as strong as the spines of a hedgehog, 

 but considerably longer, of a hoary-black colour, each 

 bristle being surrounded with several whitish rings. On 

 the ridge of the back they are nearly five inches in 

 length. 



Ethiopian Hog. The singularly hideous appearance, 

 and the savage and ferocious disposition of this animal, 

 cause him to be nearly as much dreaded, by the inhabit- 

 ants of Madagascar and southern Africa, where be is 

 found, as the lion. Sometimes he rushes out of his 

 retreat upon the unwary passenger, rips up his belly 

 with his tusks, and, in other respects, inflicts very 

 dangerous wounds ; and if attacked or pursued, will 

 turn on his opponents with desperation. He lives in a 

 den, under the surface of the ground, which he is said 

 to dig, by means of his callous snout, with nearly as 



