128 PECCARY. CABIAI. 



improper for the sedentary and studious, and particularly 

 when cured. 



THE PECCARY, OR TAJACU. 



This animal, which, of all others the most resembles the 

 hog in its external appearance, is yet extremely different 

 from it : the body is less bulky, the legs are shorter, the 

 bristles stronger, and the tail scarcely covers the poste- 

 riors. It differs still more essentially from that quadruped 

 in having a hump on its back, not unlike the navel in 

 other animals, and which secretes a liquor of a very 

 fetid smell. 



The colour of this singular animal is gristly, the bristles 

 being variegated with black and white : the belly is almost 

 bare ; but, towards the ridge of the back, the bristles 

 increase in length, and measure nearly five inches. 



The peccary is a native of South America, where it is 

 found in large herds of several hundreds. It is extremely 

 prolific ; and, in a state of nature, courageous in defence 

 of its young. Though it is capable of being tamed, it 

 never shows any signs of docility, but to the last continues 

 in a state of stupid submission, neither manifesting at- 

 tachment nor offering injury. It refuses to unite with the 

 common hog, and appears incapable of enduring our 

 variable and more severe climate. 



THE CABIAI, OR CAPIBARA. 



This animal, called also the water-hog, is a native of the 

 same country as the peccary. It has the general appear- 

 ance of a hog of two years old ; but its snout is divided 

 like that of the hare-kind, and is furnished with thick, 

 strong whiskers. It has no tail, and is in a manner web- 

 footed, a peculiarity well adapted for swimming, in which 

 it takes great delight. It preys on fish, flesh, and vegeta- 

 bles, indiscriminately; and, when alarmed, its cry resem- 

 bles the braying of an ass rather than the grunting of a 

 hog. When pursued, it plunges to the bottom of the 

 stream, where it remains so long that it frequently ex- 



