THE PECCARY. 425 



short, upright ears ; while a fleshy protuberance is its repre- 

 sentative for a tail. At the first glance it seems harmless 

 enough, but inside its mouth are found some short tusks, 

 double-edged, and as sharp as lancets, with which the crea- 

 ture is capable of inflicting the most deadly wounds. It is 

 remarkable for a glandular orifice at the lower part of the 

 back, surrounded by strong bristles. From this gland exudes 

 a strong-scented fluid ; so that, as soon as the creature is killed, 

 it is necessary to cut it out, or the rest of the flesh becomes 

 so imbued as to make it unfit for food. 



In its habits it is like the hog, and lives on the same kind 



THE PECCARY. 



of food, but its chief duty in the economy of nature is that of 

 destroying reptiles and snakes of all sorts, particularly the 

 rattlesnake, which it attacks without the slightest hesitation ; 

 nor does it appear to suffer in any way when bitten. It gives 

 voice with a sharp, shrill grunt ; but when angry, it smartly 

 clashes its tusks together, making a sound heard at a con- 

 siderable distance, and announcing its approach. ^ 



The flesh is somewhat dry and insipid, and entirely desti- 

 tute of fat. That of the female is considered the best. 



The larger species the white-lipped peccary is dreaded 



