374 ANIMALS OF THE 



content to call these creatures hogs also ; but, up- 

 on a closer inspection, their differences are found 

 to be such as entirely to separate the kinds, and 

 make each a distinct animal by itself. 



, 

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THE PECCARY, OR TAJACU. 



. 



THAT animal which of all others most resem- 

 bles the hog, and yet is of a formation very dis- 

 tinct from it, is called the Peccary, or Tajacu. 

 It is a native of America, and found there in 

 such numbers, that they are seen in herds of se- 

 veral hundreds together, grazing among the 

 woods, and inoffensive, except when offended. 



The Peccary at first view resembles a small 

 hog ; the form of its body, the shape of its head, 

 the length of its snout, and the form of its legs, 

 are entirely alike : however, when we come to 

 examine it nearer, the differences begin to ap- 

 pear. The body is not so bulky j its legs not so 

 long ; its bristles much thicker and stronger than 

 those of the hog, resembling rather the quills of 

 a porcupine than hair ; instead of a tail it has 

 only a little fleshy protuberance, which does not 

 even cover its posteriors : but that which is still 

 more extraordinary, 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 suppurate a liquor 

 of a very strong smell. The peccary is the only 

 creature that has those kind of glands which dis- 



