ii6 MAMMALIA ORDER V.RODENT1A. 



in the order, is the aquatic carpincho or capivara (Hydrochcerus), figured on 

 p. 89, and attaining a length of four feet. The most remarkable peculiarity 

 of this animal is the large size and complex structure of the last molar tooth, 

 which in the upper jaw may have as many as twelve plates, and is comparable 

 in structure to the corresponding tooth of the Indian elephant. The carpincho 

 is an inhabitant of the more tropical districts, not extending southwards of 

 Uruguay. Writing of the habits of the carpincho, Mr. Aplin observes that 

 " a favourite locality is a broad laguna in the river, furnished with open 

 water, and also beds of 'camelotes,' a sloping, open, grassy bank on one side, 

 where the carpinchos can lie in the daytime in the cooler weather, sleeping 

 and basking in the sunshine ; on the other a low, shelving bank, clothed with 

 'sarandi' scrub growing out into the black, reeking mud and shallow water 

 beyond. The stems of the sarandi in the festering mud have a gloomy 

 appearance, sometimes brightened in spring by the large, pink flower of a 

 convolvulus climbing up the stems. In one or two places of this description, I 

 could almost always make sure of seeing some carpinchos sometimes a herd of 

 a dozen or fifteen together, for they are sociable. You might meet with them 

 at any part of the rivers where there was plenty of water, or in the monte on 

 the banks, and I have put one up in thick dry grass fifty yards or more from 

 a river. At night they are said to wander for some distance to visit maize- 

 fields. When alarmed, they snort violently, and rush impetuously into the 

 river with a great splash and noise. It is said that a frightened carpincho 

 making for the river will not turn out of its way for anything, and that if you 

 are between them and the river they will knock you over. The paces of the 

 carpincho are a walk and a hurried gallop, reminding one of that of a pig; 

 but most likely differing little in character from that of a guinea-pig, which 

 the carpincho resembles in shape and make. Probably their habit of rushing 

 impetuously into the rivers is the reason why some horses are so frightened 

 at these animals ; the horses may have been scared when they went down to 

 drink, or perhaps even charged by two or three lumbering brutes. Some- 

 times carpinchos are much more tame than at others. If they are on the 

 opposite side of a small river, they often take no notice at all ; and I have 

 watched them in the autumn sitting up on their haunches like dogs, sunning 

 themselves, or lying asleep on their bellies, with their fore-paws stretched 

 out in front of them, and their heads in some cases laid on their paws, a little 

 on one side. I have also on more than one occasion walked up within half a 

 dozen yards of them. Sometimes when you approach a little herd of them, 

 they sound their alarm and merely watch you, walking slowly down to the 

 water as you get nearer. At other times they rush impetuously into the 

 water at the first sign of danger. They are said to be much wilder on the 

 larger rivers, the Rio Negro for instance, probably because they are less 

 accustomed to seeing any people except those who hunt them. No doubt the 

 protection they were afforded in the Santa Elena camp contributed largely to 

 their tameness there, but I always noticed-they were less tame on the Arroyo 

 Grande than on its tributary the Saiice. When disturbed and rising to their 

 feet, carpinchos get upon their fore-legs first. The hair of the carpincho is 

 scanty, not much more plentiful than some pigs' bristles, which it greatly 

 resembles. Their colour varies from dull brown to bright chestnut, and this 

 irrespective of age, or size, or season either, for I have noticed all colours 

 from spring to late autumn ; smaller animals are, however, generally of the 

 dull brown colour, and vice versa. Their skins tan into splendidly thick, soft 

 leather, which is used for belts, slippers, saddle-covers, etc. Like other 



