158 RODENT WATER TRESPASSERS. 



So, by using this potent weapon, the native hunter 

 neutralizes the water- trespassing powers of the Capy- 

 bara, and either prevents it from reaching the water 

 at all, or compels it to float helplessly along the stream 

 so as to be easily secured. 



Like many other water trespassers, it is so constructed 

 as to be able to conceal nearly the whole of its body 

 below the surface, only just permitting its nostrils to 

 be out of the water. And it takes advantage of every 

 piece of cover, such as a patch of weed, the shade of 

 an overhanging branch, or a tuft of herbage floating 

 down the stream. Under their protection, it just lifts 

 its nostrils above the surface of the water, ta,kes breath, 

 and again sinks. And, as it sees perfectly well under 

 water, and need only take breath at intervals of seven 

 or eight minutes, the water is evidently the safest place 

 for it. 



It is mostly a nocturnal animal, moving and feed- 

 ing by night ; and by day lying asleep in the herbage 

 of the river bank, and within a few paces of the water. 

 The foliage is so dense that scarcely any eye but that 

 of the native hunter could detect the animal ; and 

 scarcely any weapon but the poisoned arrow could 

 secure it. Even the rifle ball might be turned aside 

 from a vital part, and so give the Capybara a chance of 

 escaping ; whereas, it does not matter where the arrow 

 strikes, provided it only penetrates through the skin. 



No one, in looking at the animal, could imagine 

 its prowess in the water. On land it looks so very 

 much like a pig, that it has received the name of 

 Hydrochcerus, i.e., water pig. It is thick-bodied, has 

 short and stout limbs, very little ears, and a peculiarly 



