CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 7. RODENTIA 



389 



THE CAPYBARA. 



Genus IIYDROCHERLTS : Hydrochcerus. — Of this there is a single species, the Capybara, H, 

 capybara, which has had the various designations of Water-hop, Tailless Hippopotamus, and 

 Short-nosed Tapir : it is called Cabiai by the French. It measures at least three feet from the 

 muzzle to the hinder part, and has no tail. The general shape of the body is thick, and, as one 

 would say, pig-like ; but the head is that of rodent animals generally, and like the rest of these, 

 the upper lip is furnished with mustaches. The hairs on the upper part of the head and body, 

 and the outsides of the legs, are black at the roots, and also at the points, while the intermediate 

 part is yellow. The insides of the legs, a portion of the under part, and also round the eyes, is 

 entirely yellow and the mustaches are black. The mixture of these two colors gives a dinginess 

 to the animal, and its expression at the same time is rather dull aud heavy. The hair is also 

 somewhat bristly in its texture, and sparely scattered over the body of the animal; and this in- 

 creases its pig-like appearance; the ears are small and rounded. The female has twelve mammae, 

 which are situated partly on the breast and partly on the belly; the upper lip is divided, though 

 not so much as in the hare, but still in the closed mouth it shows, the teeth partially; the eye- 

 are large, and of a black color; the nose, the ears, and the naked portion of the legs, are blackish 

 ash-color. The color of the hair changes with age, and in very old specimens the root is black, 

 the middle brown, and the point red. In consequence of these changes, which are in general at- 

 tended with an increase of size, several varieties have sometimes been described, but there is every 

 reason to believe that there is only one species. 



The capybara is found in the neighborhood of the great rivers of Guiana, Brazil, and Paraguay. 

 It feeds on fruits and herbs, is nocturnal in its habits, wanders about in large droves making a 

 loud clamor, swims rivers and torrents in search of food, sometimes catches and eats fish, and is 

 killed in large numbers by the hunters. Its flesh is oily and of a fishy flavor, on which account 

 it is permitted by some Catholics on meagre days; the head is considered a delicacy; indeed, the 

 whole animal is eaten and relished by some of the South Americans, The eapybaras are easily 

 i tamed, and become gentle in confinement, coming at call, and following those who serve them ; 

 but their dull appearance, slow motions, aquatic habits, and an offensive odor which they emit, 

 prevent their becoming favorites. 



Genus DOLICHOTIS : Dolichotis.—Oi this there is one species, the Patagonian Cavy, D. 

 ■ Patagonica. This is a burrowing animal, but sometimes avails itself of the excavations of the 



