HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 151 



The PECCARY, or Mexican HOG, 



inhabits the hotteft parts of South-America, where the 

 fpecies is very numerous : Herds, confifting of two or 

 three hundred, are fometimes to be feen together. — It is 

 very fierce; and will fight ftoutly with beafts of prey, 

 when attacked by them. The Jaguar, or American Leo- 

 pard, is its mortal enemy ; and frequently lofes its life in 

 engaging a number of thefe animals. They affift each 

 other, furround their enemies, and often come off victo- 

 rious. 



They live chiefly in mountainous places; and are not 

 fond of wallowing in the mire, like the common Hog. 

 They feed on fruits, roots, and feeds : They likewife eat 

 ferpents, toads, and lizards ; and are very dexterous in 

 firft taking off the fldns with their fore feet and teeth. 



The Peccary in appearance refembles the Hog, though 

 fomewhat fmaller ; Its body is covered with long brif- 

 tles, which, when the creature is irritated, rife up like 

 the prickles of a Hedgehog, and are nearly as ftrong — 

 they are of a dufky colour, with alternate rings of white ; 



K 4 



