ANIMALS. 207 
and the most destructive to the flocks. It invades a sheepfold, 
and when it cannot find a lamb to carry off, it seizes a sheep by 
the neck with its teeth, and coupling with it, and beating it on 
the rump with its tail, conducts it where it pleases. It pursues 
the deer, and sometimes attacks even men. In flight it does 
nothing but trot ; but its trot is so lively and swift, that a horse 
at the gallop can hardly overtake it." 
Deer are found in great multitudes in all sections, and serve 
as an abundant source of prey for the numerous voracious ani- 
mals which infest the country. 
The Coatlmondi somewhat resembles the racoon both in size 
and general appearance, but is easily distinguished from it by 
the elongation of its snout, with which it roots up the earth in 
search of ground-worms, &c. It is, however, sometimes known 
to prey upon smaller animals ; and is generally found on the 
trees, where it has greater facilities for obtaining food and is less 
exposed to danger. Its flesh is much prized by the Indians, 
who represent it as being sweet and nutritious. 
The Isthmus abounds in hares, rabbits, and squirrels, of almost 
every species ; and on the elevated table-lands there is a large 
hare twice the size of the ordinary rabbit, which runs with in- 
credible swiftness, and is said to be very fine eating. 
The Peccary is very common in all parts, especially on the 
borders of the rivers, where the numerous varieties of palm fur- 
nish them with great quantities of food. They are also found 
in the uninhabited districts of the central division in great num- 
bers ; and, besides yielding a sweet and juicy meat, they serve a 
useful purpose by destroying the snakes which infest the forests. 
Ordinarily, the Peccary is as large as a well-grown pig of six 
months, very active, and apt to be dangerous when wounded. 
Its shape varies considerably from the domestic hog, having a 
very narrow head, small eyes and ears, high contracted withers, 
and the back sloping rapidly to the hind quarters, which are 
small and thin. The tail is exceedingly short, being nothing 
more in fact than a fleshy protuberance, concealed by long 
coarse hair, colored like the quills of the porcupine. A distin- 
guishing feature in this animal is a gland on the back, from 
which a fetid secretion is exuded. Immediately after killing the 
