THE TECCARY. 123 



derous lead, makes good its retreat as fast as it 

 is able : the peccar}' alone of all created beings 

 cannot be accused of that form of cowardice. I 

 believe, indeed, that if, instead of the explosion of 

 an ordinary gun, it were to be assailed by the erup- 

 tion of a volcano, it would only have the effect of 

 redoubling the rage of this fierce little creature, 

 which seems to grow all the more courageous in 

 proportion to the danger. This animal seems, 

 indeed, to be quite destitute of all nervous terror, 

 and although its average size is only about two 

 feet in height, by forty inches long, it is neverthe- 

 less one of the most formidable animals in North 

 America. 



The peccary lives in flocks, numbering from ten 

 to fifty. Its jaws are armed with fangs, like 

 those of the wild boar, but more crooked, and con- 

 sequently more formidable. These fangs are as 

 sharp as a razor, and are from three to four inches 

 long. The movements of the peccary are as rapid as 

 those of the squirrel ; and when he butts with his 

 head, shoulders, and neck, the force of the attack is 

 tremendous. Experience has taught sportsmen that 

 the peccary attacks whatever comes in his way, either 

 with or without provocation ; so the best plan is to 

 avoid a direct meeting. They rush in a body at 

 whatever opposes them, and if you do not get out 

 of the way the victory is likely to cost more tlian it 

 is worth. 



