HOG KIND. 381 



hoof, it is in a manner web-footed, and thus en- 

 tirely fitted for swimming and living in the water. 

 The hoofs before are divided into four parts, and 

 those behind into three ; between the divisions 

 there is a prolongation of the skin, so that the 

 foot, when spread in swimming, can beat a greater 

 surface of water. 



As its feet are thus made for the \vater, so it 

 is seen to delight entirely in that element ; and 

 some -naturalists have called it the Water-hog for 

 that reason. It is a native of South America, 

 and is chiefly seen frequenting the borders of 

 lakes and rivers, like the otter. It seizes the fish 

 upon which it preys with its hoofs and teeth, and 

 carries them to the edge of the lake, to devour 

 them at its ease. It lives also upon fruits, corn, 

 and sugar-canes. As its feet are long and broad, 

 it is often seen sitting up, like a dog that is taught 

 to beg. Its cry more nearly resembles the bray- 

 ing of an ass, than the grunting of a hog. It 

 seldom goes out, except at night, and that always 

 in company. It never ventures far from the sides 

 of the river or the lake in which it preys ; for as 

 it runs ill, because of the length of its feet and the 

 shortness of its legs, so its only place of safety is 

 the water, into which it immediately plunges when 

 pursued, and keeps so long at the bottom that the 

 hunter can have no hopes of taking it there. The 

 capibara, even in a state of wildness, is of a gentle 

 nature, and, when taken young, is easily tamed. 

 It comes and goes at command, and even shows 

 an attachment to its keeper. Its flesh is said to 

 be fat and tender, but, from the nature of its food, 



