ANIMALS. 319 



THE PACA. 



The Paca is also an animal of South America, very much resein- 

 bl.ing the former, and like it has received the name of the Ameri. 

 can rabbit, but with as little propriety. It is about the size oi 

 a hare, or rather larger, and in figure somewhat like a sucking- 

 pig, which it also resembles in its grunting and its manner of 

 eating. It is, however, most like the agouti, although it differs 

 in several particulars. Like the agouti, it is covered rather with 

 coarse hair than a downy fur. But then it is beautifully marked 

 along the sides with small ash-coloured spots, upon an auiber- 

 coloured ground ; whereas the agouti is pretty much of one red- 

 dish colour. The paca is rather more thick and corpulent than 

 the agouti ; its nose is shorter, and its hind-feet have five toes ; 

 whereas the agouti has but three. As to the rest, this animal 

 bears some distant resemblance to a rabbit, the ears are naked of 

 hair, and somewhat sharp, the upper jaw is somewhat longer 

 than the lower, the teeth, the shape of the head, and the size of 

 it, are like to those of a rabbit. It has a short tale likewise, though 

 not tufted ; and its hinder legs are longer than the fore. It also 

 burrows in the ground like that animal, and from this similitude 

 alone, travellers might have given it the name. 



The paca does not make use of its fore-paws, like the squirrel 

 or the agouti, to carry its food to the mouth, but hunts for it on 

 the ground, and 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, that is most commonly 

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

 considered as a great delicacy. 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 

 distance from its hole, are sure to seize it. But although 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 perceptible. 



To these animals may be added others, very similar, both in 

 form and disposition; each known by its particular name iji its 



