494 UNGULATA. 



danger, but when hard pressed fight gallantly, using their tusks with 

 great force and skill. The males defend the females, and the females 

 their offspring, with great devotion. They are all omnivorous in the full 

 sense of the word ; they eat whatever is eatable ; many, however, are 

 from circumstances restricted to a vegetable diet. 



In general, all the species are very prolific, and the young ones are 

 remarkably pretty and active creatures, without any of that appearance 

 of imperfection which usually characterizes new-born animals. They 

 grow quickly and attain maturity soon, and hence they are always found 

 in large numbers. 



I. GENUS DICOTYLES. 



The two species of this genus are peculiar to South America, extend- 

 ing from Mexico to Paraguay. They spread also northward into Texas, 

 and as far as the Red River of Arkansas. The tusks in this genus are 

 not turned outward, and the exterior lateral toe of the hind-foot is want- 

 ing. The generic name Dicotyles means "double cupped," and is given 

 to the animal on account of a peculiar open gland on the back. 



THE COLLARED PECCARY. 



The Collared Peccary or Tajaca, Dicotyles torquatus (Plate 

 XXXVII), is a small pig about three feet long ; the head is short, the 

 muzzle slender, and the tail short. The thick bristles which cover its 

 body are dark-brown with yellow and black rings, and are somewhat 

 longer on the back of the neck. The prevailing color is dark-brown, but 

 on the shoulders and round the neck is a broad band of a yellowish-white 

 color, from which this species has obtained its name. The open gland 

 on the back always discharges a fluid of a most fetid odor, which how- 

 ever seems to be grateful to the possessors of it, as they are often seen 

 mutually rubbing each other's backs with their snouts. 



Although the Peccary is a very harmless animal to outward view, it 

 is a very dangerous enemy, in spite of its light weight (fifty to sixty 

 pounds) and its short tusks ; for these tusks are shaped like a lancet, 

 double-edged and acutely pointed, and inflict terrible wounds. No ani- 

 mal can withstand the united attacks of the Peccary ; fear is a feeling to 

 which it is an utter stranger, and even the jaguar is forced to abandon 

 the contest and to shrink from encountering the circidar mass of Pec- 



