616 THE COLLARED PECCARY. 
the alarm. If the slain animal should not leap from the hollow, but fall dead at its post, the 
carcase is pushed out of the hole by the next in succession, who then assumes the part of 
sentinel without displaying any alarm. The other method requires the co-operation of two 
hunters, and is managed by one getting above the mouth of the hole and pinning the foremost 
Peccary to the ground with a pitchfork, while the other despatches it with a sword. 
The food of the common Peccary is of a very varied character, and consists of fruits, seeds, 
grain, roots, reptiles, small birds and their eggs, and, indeed, of almost anything vegetable or 
animal which can be swallowed. The flesh of the Peccary is not of much value, as during 
many parts of the year it is wholly uneatable, on account of an odoriferous gland in the back, 
which taints the meat to such an extent that it cannot be eaten. The flesh of the male is at 
all times very unpleasant, but that of the female is in some months tolerably good, and has 
been compared to that of the hare. At the best, however, it is dry and insipid, as there is no 
fat or lard to be found in the Peccary. In all cases, the gland must be removed as soon as 
the animal is dead, for if it be permitted to remain but for a single hour, its effects will be 
perceptible throughout the entire body. 
The common Peccary is not so harmful to the agriculturist as its large relation, and as it 
destroys such large number of reptiles, is probably rather beneficial than otherwise. The 
color of the Peccary is a grizzled brown, with the exception of a white stripe that is drawn 
over the neck, and has earned for the animal the name of the Collared Peccary. 
The Tagntcate, or White-lipped Peccaey, is larger than the preceding animal, assem- 
bles in larger herds, is fiercer in its disposition, and works more woe to the farmer. 
The White-lipped Peccary derives its name from a band of white hairs that crosses the 
upper jaw, and covers nearly the whole of the lower. The color of the adult animal is black- 
brown, flecked with a gray grizzle, but when young it is striped after the manner of the bosch- 
vark. A slight mane runs along its neck, and its ears are fringed with long and stiff hairs. 
It is a most mischievous animal, as it makes long marches over the country, ravaging the 
crops in its progress, and always choosing, with a perversely excellent taste, the best maize 
and grass. The cry of the Peccary is a sharp shrill grunt. When angry, the Peccary clashes 
its teeth smartly together, producing a sound which is recognizable at some distance, and is 
very useful to the hunters, as it serves to give timely notice of the animal’s approach. 
The generic name, Dicotyles, signifies “double-cupped,” and is given to the animal on 
account of the peculiar open gland upon the back. This species is a good swimmer, and often 
crosses rivers of its own accord. As, however, it loses all its offensive powers while in the 
water, the Indians watch the opportunity, and by dashing among the floating animals, kill as 
many as they choose without any danger. 
Family Sotdze, the Hogs, has five genera and twenty-two species. The Peccaries are the 
only ones inhabiting this Continent. Two species are recognized. 
