P ACHY HERMES. 95 



undergrowth in these vast vegetable nurseries. In 

 disposition they are rather timid and inoffensive, 

 but when roused to attack or defend, possess the 

 most revengeful temper, and rush to the onset 

 with blinded fury. They are for the most part 

 gregarious. 



In form these animals are very bulky ; unwieldy 

 and clumsy in their proportions, yet possessing 

 immense strength, and an activity beyond what 

 would be supposed ; and their pace, when they 

 have fairly commenced it, from the length of 

 stride, and the great propel/'ng weight of their 

 bodies, is for a time very rapid, and bears before 

 it all ordinary obstacles, clearing a way through 

 the thickest and most matted underwood. Their 

 physiognomy is rather dull and inexpressive, 

 partly occasioned by the peculiarity of the eye, 

 which is, comparatively, remarkably small, piggish 

 in appearance, and wanting in animation. When 

 enraged, however, there is a degree of inexpres- 

 sible ferocity and malevolence contained in their 

 look, which is completely intelligible. Their skin 

 is of great thickness, defending them from the 

 attacks of insects, which would prove intolerable 

 over so large a surface, and resisting the sharp 

 spines of the brush, and staked points which they 

 are liable to encounter in their path through the 

 forests. It is often distributed in folds so strong 

 as to resist the force of a leaden musket bullet, 



