280 MAMMALIA—CABIAIL. 
THE CABIAI! 
Is about the size of a hog of twelve months’ growth. The head is longer; 
the eyes are larger; the snout, instead of being rounded, as in the hog, 
is split like that of a rabbit or hare, and furnished with thick, strong 
whiskers; the mouth is not so wide; the number and form of the teeth are 
different, for it is without tusks; like the peccary, it wants a tail, and, 
unlike to all others of this kind, is in a manner web-footed, and thus easily 
fitted for swimming and living in water. The hoofs before are divided inte 
four parts, and those behind into three; between the divisions, there is a 
prolongation of the skin; so that the feet, when cpened in swimming, can 
beat a great surface of water. 
This animal, thus made for the water, swims there like an otter, seeks 
the same prey, and seizes the fish with its feet and teeth, and carries them 
te the edge of the lake to devour them with the greater ease. It lives also 
upon fruits, corn, and sugar-canes. As its legs are broad and flat, it often 
sits upright upon its hind legs. Its cry resembles more the braying of an 
ass than the grunting ofa hog. Its color is a deep reddish brown above, 
and fawn beneath. It seldom stirs out but at night, and almost always in 
company, without going far from the sides of the water in which it preys. 
It can find no safety in flight; and, in order to escape the enemies which 
pursue it, it plunges into the water, remains at the bottom. a long time, and 
rises at such a distance, that the hunters lose all hopes of seeing it again. 
It is fat; and the flesh is tender, but, like that of the otter, rather of a fishy 
taste ; the head, however, is not bad; and this agrees with what is said of 
the beaver, whose exverior parts have a taste like fish. 
The cabiai is quiet and gentle; it is neither quarrelsome nor ferocious 
with other animals. It is easily tamed, comes at call, and willingly 
follows the hand that feeds it. We do not know the time of their bringing 
forth their young, their growth, and consequently the length of life of this 
animal. They are very common in Guiana, as well as in Brazil, in Ama- 
zonia, and in all the lower countries of South America. 
1 Hydrocherus capybara, Lx. The genus Hydrocherus has two upper and two lower 
incisors ; no canines; ten upper and eight lower molars. Molars composed of lamine ; 
eyes large; ears rounded ; fore feet with four, the hinder ones with three palmated toes ; 
no tail; two mamme; hair scattered and bristly. 
