CAPYBARA. 



23 



A living specimen, in a half-grown state, was 

 seen by the Count de BulFon, which had been 

 brought into France from America. It was of a 

 gentle disposition, and was fed with bread, milk, 

 fruit, &c. From the number of teats, it should 

 seem, according to that author, to be a very pro- 

 lific animal : this, however, is contradicted by 

 fact ; since it is known to produce but one at a 

 birth. 



By some it is considered as a good article of 

 food ; but others assure us that it is of a rank and 

 fishy taste : this may depend on the different age 

 of the animal, as well as on the diet to which it 

 has been accustomed. 



The Capybara has a very large head, and a 

 thick, divided nose, on each side are strong and 

 large whiskers : the ears are small and rounded : 

 the eyes large and black : the upper jaw longer 

 than the lower : in each jaw are two very large 

 and strong cutting teeth, and the grinders, which 

 are eight in each jaw, are divided into three flat 

 surfaces on the upper part: the neck is very 

 short : the body short and thick, and covered 

 with short, coarse, brown hair : the legs short ; 

 the feet long ; the foremost being divided into 

 four toes, connected to each other by a small 

 web at the base, and tipped with thick claws, or 

 rather small hoofs, at the extremities : the hind 

 feet are formed in a similar manner, but are di- 

 vided into three toes only : there is no appearance 

 of a tail. Sometimes this animal, while feeding, 

 sits up, in the manner of a squirrel, holding its 



