258 FAUNA. 



the waree^ or wild hog, runs in large droves in many districts. 

 The tapir, dimiiar to that of the southern continent, also 

 frequents the sea-shore and banks of the rivers ; and another 

 species, peculiar to the region, is said to have been discovered 

 lately. There are numerous varieties of monkeys, among 

 which are the brown, the horned, and the little, playful capu- 

 chin. The raccoon, as elsewhere, is common, and is noted for 

 its thieving propensities. It lives chiefly on animal food. 

 There is an interesting little opossum of about ten feet in 

 length, of a gi'ay colour, with a somewhat large head, and a 

 long and very flexible tail — the feet being provided with sharp 

 claws. When the young leave the mother's pouch, she can 

 place them on her back, to which they cling, while she 

 scrambles amid the forest boughs. Besides the great ant- 

 eater, there is the smaller striped ant-eater, and the little 

 ant-eater. There is a curious creature, called the quash, 

 resembling the ichneumon, which possesses a peculiarly fetid 

 smell, and is known for its powerful, lacerating teeth. There 

 are several species, also, of the armadillo, distinguished as the 

 three-banded, eight-banded, and nine-banded. The paca is 

 also very plentiful, and becomes easily domesticated. It 

 reaches two feet in length, and its thick, clumsy form, of a 

 dusky brown colour, may be seen scampering through the 

 woods. The agouti, or Indian cony, or rabbit, frequents the 

 same region as the paca, and is about the size of an ordinary 

 hare. It does not, however, run in the same way, but moves 

 by frequent leaps. The jaguar ranges through the whole of 

 this part of the continent, and is remarkable for its large size 

 and gTeat strength. Not only does it frequently kill full- 

 grown cattle, and drag them to its lair far away in the woods, 

 but, if irritated, it does not hesitate to attack human beings. 



