88 TRINIDAD. 



powerful arms and fearful claws : these it plunges into the body 

 of its enemy, gradually thrusting more and more deeply until 

 death ensues. Its hold is so tenacious that dogs cannot dis- 

 engage themselves from the murderous embrace, and must perish 

 unless promptly relieved ; hence its Spanish name of Mataperro, 

 or the " Dog-killer ; " it is also called the " Sloth/" or, again, 

 the ' ' Poor-me-one/' from its mournful night-cry, which the fancy 

 of the peasant has assimilated to the sound of those syllables. In 

 connection with this animal, the following anecdote was related 

 to me : — An African labourer meeting with a Mataperro in the 

 act of crossing the high road, and mistaking it for an opossum, 

 eagerly seized it by the tail and swung it over his shoulder, con- 

 gratulating himself on his good fortune ; but he had " reckoned 

 without his host/-' and was compelled to call for immediate 

 assistance, being almost deprived of breath from the embrace of 

 his pseudo-captive. 



Pachydermata. — Wild Hog, Cuenco, or Pccari (Dycotiles). — 

 There are, it appears, two distinct species of Cuencos : one rather 

 larger than the other. They range in small bands of five or 

 eight, or in larger, of fifty and above ; they haunt the high woods, 

 and the smaller species is particularly common towards the eastern 

 coast. When started by the dogs the Pecari takes to flight, but 

 is soon brought to bay against a tree, or in some hollow, or other 

 shelter, where it makes a formidable and often a successful 

 defence with its tusks — frequently wounding, maiming, or killing 

 such as venture within its reach. When in force, and very 

 numerous, they even give chase to the dogs, and the hunters 

 themselves may be compelled to seek refuge in the branches of 

 some tree. This animal, notwithstanding, is easily domesticated, 

 and becomes much attached to its master. When young, and 

 in good season and condition, the Cuenco is most delicate 

 eating. 



Ruminantia. — Deer (Cervus simplicicornis) . — The Deer is 

 very common in all parts of the island, but particularly in the 

 neighbourhood of plantations, where it browses on pease, young 

 maize, the stems and leaves of the manioc, sweet potato, and 

 yam, as also of young cacao plants. The Deer bears in appearance, 

 size, and habits, the greatest resemblance to the roebuck. When 

 captured young it is easily domesticated, and may be seen tamely 

 following those persons who have the care of it. The flesh of 



