New Publications. 591 



are shorter, in lieu of the tail there is merely a short protuberance ; but 

 the greatest difference consists in a gland upon its back, which although 

 concealed, is easily perceptible from the turn of the hair around it, and 

 which gland secretes a liquor of a strong smell. Both species appear 

 to be common to Paraguay and Guiana. In the latter province, where 

 they have come under my notice, they are seldom met with on the 

 plains or savannahs, and frequent more the thick forests and swamps. 



The collared or banded Peccari (Sus Tajussu, L., Dicoteles torquatus, 

 F. Cuv.), the lesser of the two species, is generally met with in small 

 families of eight or ten, frequently only in pairs. They are of a gray 

 colour, that is, their hair, which is ringed alternately with black and 

 yellowish white, appears gray at a short distance. The belly is almost 

 bare, and the bristles on the sides are rather short, but they gradually 

 increase in length as they approach the ridge of the back, where they 

 form a kind of bristly mane. From the shoulders round the neck 

 extends a narrow collar or band of whitish hair. Their legs are short 

 and the hoofs long ; they run nevertheless with great swiftness, and 

 when hunted by dogs, take refuge in a hollow tree. They feed on 

 seeds, particularly on those of different species of palms, which they 

 crack with their strong jaws, and devour the shell as well as the 

 kernel. They also turn up the soil like the domestic hog to search for 

 worms or insects, and to procure them are often and more generally 

 found in swampy situations : the assertions that they are only found 

 in mountainous parts of a country, and very seldom in lowlands or 

 marshes, may be correct with regard to Paraguay, but not so, as to 

 Guiana, where we have found them generally in marshy situations, 

 wallowing like our domestic hogs in quest of worms. They bear one 

 young at a time, rarely two, which follows the dam until it can provide 

 for itself. 



They swim across rivers, but seldom take to the water when pursued 

 by dogs, as they do not dive. Indeed they are awkward in the water, 

 and the Indian hunter is sure of success if he can drive a herd into the 

 river. They are then easily killed by striking them a blow on the 

 nose ; however, the Indian does not stop to pick them up when thus 

 killed ; he is well aware of the peculiarity which they share with few 

 animals, namely, that they float on the water, while almost every other 

 animal sinks : the Indian therefore kills as many as he can, and picks 

 them up when he is no longer able to add to their number. 



When taken young they are easily tamed, and will follow any one 

 they take a liking to, like a dog ; but are apt to bite and snap at those 

 to whom they take a dislike. They appear very fond of being scratch- 



