THE GAPYBAUA. 
477 
banks of rivers. Their domiciles are excavated in the ground, bnt are at no great depth, and 
are remarkable for the admirable state of cleanliness in which they are preserved by the 
inhabitants. The burrows are often so shallow that their roofs cannot support any superin- 
cumbent weight, and will give way under the tread of man or horse. 
When properly dressed by being scalded and roasted, the flesh of the Paca is much 
esteemed, although it is too rich and fat to please the palates of some persons. The fur is of 
little value, being short and harsh, so that the skin of the Paca is useless until it has been 
deprived of hair and tanned. The Paca is only moderately intelligent ; and when in captivity 
appears, like the agouti, to lose a great portion of the bright intelligence which characterizes 
its wild nature. It appears to take great care of its fur, and is as fastidious in its toilet as the 
domestic cat, washing itself in the same manner, and combing itself carefully with the claws 
of its hind and fore feet. 
CAPYBARA .— Hydrochoerus capybara. 
Few persons, on seeing a Capybara for the first time, would be inclined to class it with 
rhe animals to which it is so nearly related. The great size, the harsh, coarse hair, more like 
the bristles of a hog than the soft, delicate fur which clothes the generality of rodent animals, 
the hoof -like toes, and the heavy, clumsy bearing of the animal, are so swinish in appearance 
that any ordinary spectator might well imagine that he saw before him a very curious example 
of the wild-hogs. In allusion to the external resemblance which this animal bears to the 
swine, it has received the name of Hydrochoerus, or Water Hog. It is a native of Southern 
America, and has a rather wide range. 
The Capybara is the largest of all the living rodent animals, rather exceeding three feet 
m total length, and being so bulkily made that when it walks its abdomen nearly touches the 
ground. The muzzle of this animal is heavy and blunt, the eyes are set high in the head, and 
are moderate in size, the tail is wanting, and the toes are partially connected together by a 
development of the skin. The color of the Capybara is rather indeterminate, owing to the 
manner in which the hairs are marked with black and yellow, so that the general idea which 
