166 ANIMALS OF THE 



roots like a hog. It is generally seen along the 

 banks of rivers, and is only to be found in the 

 moist and warm countries of South America. It 

 is a very fat animal, and in this respect much 

 preferable to the agouti, which is most common- 

 ly found lean. It is eaten, skin and all, like a 

 young pig, and is considered as a great deli- 

 cacy. Like the former little animal, it defends 

 itself to the* last extremity, and is very seldom 

 taken alive. It is persecuted not only by man, 

 but by every beast and bird of prey, who all 

 watch its motions, and, if it ventures at any dis- 

 tance from its hole, are sure to seize it. But al- 

 though the race of these little animals is thus 

 continually destroyed, it finds some refuge in its 

 hole from the general combination ; and breeds 

 in such numbers, that the diminution is not per- 

 ceptible. 



To these animals may be added others, very 

 similar both in form and disposition ; each known 

 by its particular name in its native country, but 

 which travellers have been contented to call rab- 

 bits or hares, of which we have but indistinct 

 notice. The Tapeti, or the Brasilian rabbit, is 

 in shape like our English ones, but is much less, 

 being said to be not above twice the size of a 

 dormouse. It is reddish on the forehead, and a 

 little whitish under the throat. It is remarkable 

 for having no tail ; but it has long ears and 

 whiskers, like our rabbits, and black eyes. It 

 does not burrow, like ours, but lives at large, 

 like the hare. 



