362 THE PECCARY. 



gregate in numerous bands, sometimes amounting, it is said, 

 to more than a thousand individuals of all ages. Thus uni- 

 ted the} 7 frequently traverse extensive districts, the whole troop 

 occupying an extent of a league in length, and directed in 

 their march, if the accounts of the natives are to be credited, 

 by a leader, who takes his station at the head of the foremost 

 rank. Should they be impeded in their progress by a river, 

 the chief stops for a moment, and then plunges boldly into 

 the stream, and is followed by all the rest of the troop. The 

 breadth of the river or the rapidity of the current appear to 

 be but trifling obstacles in their way, and to be overcome with 

 the greatest facility. On reaching the opposite bank they 

 proceed directly on their course, and continue their march 

 even through the plantations which, unfortunately for the 

 owners, may happen to lie in their way ; and which they 

 sometimes completely devastate by rooting in the ground for 

 their favorite food, or devouring such fruits as they find there, 

 [f they meet with anything unusual on their way, they make 

 a terrific clattering with their teeth, and stop and examine 

 the object of their alarm. When they have ascertained that 

 there is no danger, they continue their route without further 

 delay ; but if a huntsman should venture to attack them 

 when they are thus assembled in large numbers, he is sure to 

 be surrounded by multitudes and torn to pieces by their tusks, 

 if he is so unwise as to neglect his only chance of escape, 

 which consists in climbing a tree, and thus getting fairly out 

 of their reach. The smaller bands are by no means equally 

 courageous, and always take to flight at the first attack. 



M. Sonriini relates that he was often, in the course of his 

 travels in Guiana, surrounded by a troop of Peccaries infuria- 

 ted with the havoc made by the muskets of himself and hi? 

 companions. Mounted upon a tree he was enabled to observe 

 their motions, and to notice the manner in which they encour- 

 aged by their grunts and by the rubbing of their snouts to- 

 gether those among them who were injured by the shots which 

 were poured upon them from above. With erected bristles 

 and eyes sparkling with rage, they still maintained their 



