PACA. 
World. It digs holes in the earth, like the 
Rabbit; to which it has often been compared, 
though there is very little resemblance between 
them. It is even larger than the Hare. It's 
body is thicker, and plumper ; and the head 
is round, and the muzzle short. It is very- 
fat ; and rather resembles a young Pig, in fi- 
gure, grunting, gait, and manner of eating : 
for it uses not, like the Rabbit, it's fore-feet, 
in carrying food to it's mouth ; and, like the 
Hog, it digs the earth in quest of nourishment. 
It frequents the banks of rivers, and is only 
found in the warm and moist places of South 
America. It's flesh is fat, and makes excellent 
food. Even it's skin is eat, like that of a Pig. 
For these reasons, this animal is in perpetual 
request. It is difficult for the hunters to take 
it alive. When surprised in it's hole, which 
they lay open both before and behind, it de- 
fends itself, and even bites in a cruel manner. 
The skin, though covered with coarse short 
hair, makes a very good fur, because it is 
regularly spotted on the sides. These animals 
produce often, and in great numbers : manyj 
of them are destroyed by men, and beasts of;; 
prey, and yet the species is alwavs numerous. m 
Thifj 
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