272 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
The tail is covered at its base with hair of the same 
nature with that which invests the body ; the succeeding 
portion is coated with black scales, with a few short 
intervening black hairs ; and the remainder with whitish 
or flesh-coloured scales and similarly coloured hairs. 
The point is remarkably long and tapering. 
This species appears to be the most common of those 
which inhabit South America. It is found in great 
plenty in Guiana and Brasil, climbing trees with faci- 
lity, but running slowly and with an ill grace. It prefers 
marshy situations or the neighbourhood of the sea- 
coast, and feeds like the other species indiscriminately 
on the smaller quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, insects, and 
fruits. But it is said also to have a particular fondness 
for crabs, whence the derivation of its name. Its flesh 
is commonly eaten by the natives, who assert that it is 
similar in flavour to that of the hare. In captivity it is 
as stupid as the preceding species, oflering no resist- 
ance, but rarely familiarizing itself with its keepers, 
and seldom exhibiting any signs of vivacity except a 
snarling pettishness when disturbed. 
