292 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
and bites very severely. It swims and dives remarkably 
well, and although so heavy runs with considerable 
swiftness. Its cry resembles the grunting of a pig, and 
this circumstance, combined with the mode of its root- 
ing in the earth with its nose, the bristliness of its hair, 
and the flavour of its flesh, probably gave rise to the 
comparisons made by the older travellers between the 
two animals. Its flesh is said to be very savoury, and 
forms a staple article of food in many parts of South 
America. It never quits its burrow except during the 
night, when it goes in search of its food, which consists 
chiefly of herbs and fruits. The sugar-cane plantations 
occasionally suffer much from its devastations. 
In captivity it is quiet and contented, and the history 
which Buffon has given of one that lived for some time 
in his house proves that it may even become familiar. 
Our specimen lived for some months at the Garden, 
and died during the severe weather at the early part of 
the last winter. 
