THE CAPYBARA. 579 



The DUSKY PACA is really a pretty animal, the rows of white spots which decorate 

 its sides standing out in pleasing contrast to the rich black-brown hue with which the 

 remainder of the fur is tinged. The throat and abdomen are white, and the lowermost 

 of the four rows of white spots is often nearly merged into the white fur of the under 

 portions of the body. The coloring is rather variable in different individuals. The 

 paws are light flesh-color, and the large full eyes are dark brown. The total length 

 of this animal is about two feet. 



In its native land it is quite as destructive as the agouti, and, like that animal, is a 

 terrible foe to the sugar-canes, which are too frequently destroyed in great quantities 

 by the nocturnal visits of the Paca. The aggrieved planters retaliate by making diur- 

 nal attacks on the Paca burrows when they know the animal will be at home ; and by 

 stopping up two of the three entrances which lead to the secret chamber of the mid- 

 night robber, are enabled to dislodge the hidden animal from its retreat. When hard 

 pressed, the Paca turns fiercely on its assailant, and fights desperately in defence of 

 itself and its home. 



It is an active animal, in spite of its clumsy looks, and not only runs with consider- 

 able speed, but is a good swimmer, and can jump well. 



The favorite localities of the Pacas are in wooded districts, in marshy grounds, or 

 near the banks of rivers. Their domiciles are excavated in the ground, but are at no 

 great depth, and are remarkable for the admirable state of cleanliness in which they 

 are preserved by the inhabitants. The burrows are often so shallow that their roofs 

 cannot support any superincumbent weight, and will give way under the tread of man 

 or horse. 



When properly dressed by being scalded and roasted, the flesh of the Paca is much 

 esteemed, although it is too rich and fat to please the palates of some persons. The 

 fur is of little value, being short and harsh, so that the skin of the Paca is useless un- 

 til it has been deprived of hair and tanned. The Paca is only moderately intelligent; 

 and when in captivity appears, like the agouti, to lose a great portion of the bright in- 

 telligence which characterizes its wild nature. It appears to take great care of its fur, 

 and i's as fastidious in its toilet as the domestic cat, washing itself in the same man- 

 ner, and combing itself carefully with the claws of its hind and fore feet. 



FEW persons, on seeing a CAPYBARA for the first time, would be inclined to class it 

 with the animals to which it is so nearly related. The great size, the harsh coarse 

 hair, more like the bristles of a hog than the soft, delicate fur, which clothes the gener- 

 ality of rodent animals, the hoof-like toes, and the heavy, clumsy bearing of the animal, 

 are so swinish in appearance that any ordinary spectator might well imagine that he saw 

 before him a very curious example of the wild-hogs. In allusion to the external re- 

 semblance which this animal bears to the swine, it has received the name of Hydro- 

 chcerus, or Water Hog. It is a native of Southern America, and has a rather wide range. 



The Capybara is the largest of all the living rodent animals, rather exceeding three 

 feet in total length, and being so bulkily made that when it walks its abdomen nearly 

 touches the ground. The muzzle of this animal is heavy and blunt, the eyes are set 

 high in the head, and are moderate in size, the tail is wanting, and the toes are par- 

 tially connected together by a development of the skin. The color of the Capybara is 

 rather indeterminate, owing to the manner in which the hairs are marked with black 

 and yellow, so that the general idea which its coat presents is a dingy, blackish-gray, 

 with a tinge of yellow. The hairs are rather long, and fall heavily over the body. 

 The incisor teeth are of enormous dimensions, and the molars are very curiously formed, 

 presenting some analogy to those of the elephant. 



It is a water-loving animal, using its webbed feet with great power, and fleeing in- 

 stinctively to the stream when terrified by real or imaginary danger. It not only swims 

 well, but is a good diver ; and when endeavoring to escape from a foe, always tries to 

 evade its pursuer by diving as long as its breath will hold out, and only permitting the top 

 of its head to appear above the surface when it rises for the purpose of respiration. As, 

 however, it can remain under water for a space of eight or ten minutes, it finds no diffi- 

 culty in escaping from any ordinary foe, if it can only gain the shelter of the welcome 



