THE CAPYBARA. 



47' 



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 superin- 

 cumbent 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 until 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 intelligence which characterizes 

 its wild nature. It appears to take great care of its fur, and is as fastidious in its toilet as the 

 domestic cat, washing itself in the same manner, and combing itself carefully with the claws 

 of its hind and fore feet. 



CAPYBARA.— I/ydrockceius capybara. 



Pew 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 generality 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 resemblance which this animal bears to the 

 swine, it has received the name of Hydrochcerus, 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 partially 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 



