in their own fashion, each backing in as far as he can go, and the 

 last comer must keep guard as sentinel at the opening of the hole. 



Localities much frequented by these odd creatures may be rec- 

 ognized as favorite haunts by the. strong and unpleasant odor pecu- 

 liar to them. It is due to a gland near the top of the hind-quarters 

 and, if the peccary is killed for eating purposes, this gland must be 

 at once removed; otherwise the whole body becomes tainted. The 

 flesh of the females is considered better than that of the males, but 

 at best the meat is wholly lacking in fat and is both dry and insipid. 



Although not rated among wild animals as possessing a high 

 grade of intelligence, yet this small beast is able to hold his own 

 among the fierce inhabitants of tropical thickets. 



57 



