THE HOG KIND. 



283 



posteriors ; but that which is still more extra- 

 ordinary, and in which it differs from all other 

 quadrupeds whatsoever,is,that it has got upon 

 its back a lump, resembling the navel in other 

 animals, which is found to separate a liquor 

 of a very strong smell. The peccary is the 

 only creature that has those kinds of glands 

 which discharge the musky substance on that 

 part of its body. Some have them under the 

 belly, and otheVs under the tail ; but this crea- 

 ture, by a conformation peculiar to itself, has 

 them on its back. This lump, or navel, is 

 situated on that part of the back which is over 

 the hinder legs ; it is, in general, so covered 

 with long bristles, that it cannot be seen, ex- 

 cept they be drawn aside. A small space 

 then appears, that is almost bare, and only be- 

 set with a few short fine hairs. In the mid- 

 dle it rises like a lump ; and in this there is 

 an orifice, into which one may thrust a com- 

 mon goose quill. This hole or bag is not 

 above an inch in depth ; and round it, under 

 the skin, are situated a number of small glands, 

 which distil a whitish liquor, in colour and 

 substance resembling that obtained from the 

 civet animal. Perhaps it was this analogy, 

 that led Dr. Tyson to say, that it smelt agree- 

 ably also, like that perfume. But this Mr. Buf- 

 fon absolutely denies; affirming, that the smell 

 is at every time, and in every proportion,strong 

 and offensive, and to this I can add my own 

 testimony, if that able naturalist should want 

 a voucher. 



But, to be more particular in the descrip- 

 tion of the other parts of this quadruped ; the 

 colour of the body is grizly, and beset with 

 bristles, thicker and stronger than those of a 

 common hog; though not near so thick as those 

 of a porcupine, they resemble, in this respect, 

 that they are variegated with black and white 

 rings. The belly is almost bare; and the short 

 bristles on the sides, gradually increase in 

 length, as they approach the ridge of the back, 

 where some are five inches long. On the head 

 also between the ears, there is a large tuft of 

 bristles that are chiefly black. The ears are 

 about two inches and a half long, and stand 

 upright; and the eyes resemble those of a com- 

 mon hog. only they are smaller. From the 

 lower corner of the eye to the snout, is usu- 

 ally six^nches ; and the snout itself is like that 

 'of a hog's, though it is but small. One side 



NO. 25 & 26. 



of the lower lip is generally smooth, by the 

 rubbing of the tusk of the upper jaw. The 

 feet and hoofs are perfectly like those of a 

 common hog; but, as was already observed, 

 it has no tail. There are some anatomical 

 differences in its internal structure from that 

 of the common hog. Dr. Tyson was led to 

 suppose, that it had three stomachs ; where- 

 as the hog has but one : however, in this he 

 was deceived, as Mr. Daubenton has plainly 

 shown, that the stomach is only divided by 

 two closings, which gives it the appearance 

 as if divided into three ; and there is no con- 

 formation that prevents the food in any part 

 of it, from going or returning to any other. 



The peccary may be tamed like the hog, 

 and has pretty nearly the same habits and na- 

 tural inclinations. It feeds upon the same 

 aliments ; its flesh, though drier and leaner 

 than that of the hog, is pretty good eating ; 

 it is improved by castration ; and, when kill- 

 ed, not only the parts of generation must be 

 taken instantly away, but also the navel on 

 the back, with all the glands that contribute 

 to its supply. If this operation be deferred 

 for only half an hour, tne flesh becomes ut- 

 terly unfit to be eaten. 



The peccary is extremely numerous in all 

 the parts of Southern America. They go in 

 herds of two or three hundred together; and 

 unite, like hogs, in each other's defence. 

 They are particularly fierce when their young 

 are attempted to be taken from them. They 

 surround the plunderer, attack him without 

 fear, and frequently make his life pay the for- 

 feit of his rashness. When any of the natives 

 are pursued by a herd in this manner, they 

 frequently climb a tree to avoid them t while 

 the peccaries gather round the root, threat- 

 en with their tusks, and their rough bristles 

 standing erect, as in the hog kind, they as- 

 sume a very terrible appearance. In this man- 

 ner they remain at the foot of the tree for 

 hours together; while the hurrter is obliged 

 to wait patiently, and not without apprehen- 

 sions, until they think fit to retire. 



The peccary is rather fond of the moun- 

 tainous parts of the country, than the low- 

 lands; itseemsto delight neither in the marsh- 

 es nor the mud, like our hogs; it keeps among 

 the woods, where it subsists upon wild fruits, 

 roots, and vegetables ; it is also an unceasing 



224 



