ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
105 
Pachydermata , or thick-skinned animals, have only one 
representative on this continent. 
Description . — This order includes all non-ruminant hoofed 
animals, or such as have hoofs whether divided or not, but do 
not chew the cud. 
The only animal of this species indigenous to the country, 
which finds its way into the Northern Continent, is the 
Collared Peccary, sometimes called Indian Hog ( Dicotyles 
tor quants') ; it derives its name “ collared” from a peculiar 
arrangement of whitish bristles rising up from its fore legs and 
meeting over its neck, which it has the power of erecting 
when excited, frightened, or irritated. It closely resembles 
the common hog in shape, structure, habits, and properties, 
though not quite equalling it in size. This animal has a great 
aversion to snakes, and will hunt them out with great avidity ; 
when it sees one of these reptiles it raises its bristles with a 
most ferocious air, its eyes seem to flash fire, and gathering 
all its strength, with a succession of quick leaps it brings 
itself down upon the snake’s neck with all four feet together 
with amazing rapidity, until its victim is exhausted, when it 
ravenously devours it. These animals are generally met with 
in herds ; and if the hunter ventures to attack or wound one 
of them when its companions are near, he stands a very good 
chance of being torn in pieces unless he takes refuge in some 
tree ; and even then, they have been known to surround it, 
keeping him a close prisoner until succor arrive. They 
are only met with as we approach the southern latitudes, 
westward of the Mississippi River ; eastward of it they are 
not known to exist : it is met with in Texas, extending to the 
Pacific, where the line of its range runs as high as the 33rd 
parallel, following the isothermal line, thus proving that it 
cannot endure the rigors of a severe winter. This animal 
must not be confounded with the wild hog, which like the 
wild oxen and horses, are the offspring of the cattle left to 
run wild by the Spaniards nearly two centuries ago, and 
