THE PECCARY FAMILY 391 



FAMILY DICOTYLID^: (PECCARIES). 



COLLARED PECCARY (Dicotyles tajacu). 



Plate XLI. Fig. i. 



The Peccaries are the American representatives of the 

 Swine, but they are smaller, with the head, snout, ears, and 

 tail shorter, more slender limbs, while the bristles are longer 

 and thicker. There are also differences in the dentition, the 

 upper canine teeth in particular being directed downwards 

 instead of upwards. There are four toes on the front feet, 

 but only three on the hind. In one respect the Peccary is 

 in advance of its Old World cousin : it possesses a more 

 complex stomach, very nearly approaching that of the 

 ruminants. The animal differs in still another point. In 

 the middle of the loins, just below the skin, is a scent gland 

 which pours out a fluid of disgusting odour, that renders 

 the flesh uneatable, unless the gland is removed immediately 

 after the animal is killed. 



The Collared Peccary is common in a great portion of 

 the United States and Central South America, extending 

 from Arkansas to Patagonia. It rarely exceeds three feet in 

 length with a height of sixteen inches at the shoulder. In 

 colour it is blackish brown with yellowish white on the 

 flanks. It derives its name from a line of white which 

 passes from the fore parts of the neck upwards to meet 

 over the shoulders. It is a forest-dwelling, rather timid 

 animal, rarely found in parties of more than nine or ten. 

 It dwells in holes or the hollows of trees, and in the neigh- 

 bourhood of settled districts ravages the plantations. 



The White-lipped Peccary (Dicotyles labiatus) is a slightly 

 larger species and infinitely fiercer in disposition. Living 

 in herds, they are often a source of embarrassment to the 

 planter, for they know no fear ; and the hunter is safe from 

 their assault only when he has gained a friendly branch 

 at some distance from the ground. Even the jaguar only 

 succeeds in capturing a straggling member of a herd, and 

 he, too, is frequently forced to seek refuge in a tree. 



When in its retreat, however, the Peccary often falls 



