n being seized, darts
through the forest, attempting to destroy its foe, and dislodge it from
its back by rushing under the low boughs of the trees. Should this
fail, and water be near, it quickly frees itself by diving down--as the
jaguar, unable to dive, must either let go its hold or be drowned.

Of a peaceful and harmless disposition, it never willingly attacks man
or beast; but when hunted and brought to bay, it will defend itself
desperately, frequently inflicting, with its strong teeth, severe wounds
on its assailants.

THE PECCARY.

The only other pachydermatous animal besides the tapir indigenous to
South America is the little truculent peccary--a herd of which creatures
is more feared by the natives than the jaguar, boa, or anaconda. There
are two species--the Dicotyles tajacu and Dicotyles labiatus, or
white-lipped peccary; the latter being the larger and fiercer of the
two. The peccary is very like a small hog. Its form is short and
compact, thickly covered with strong, dark-coloured bristles, except the
lower part of the body, which is nearly destitute of hair. It has a
somewhat large head, short snout, and short, upright ears; while a
fleshy protuberance is its representative for a tail. At the first
glance it seems harmless enough, but inside its mouth are found some
short tusks, double-edged, and as sharp as lancets, with which the
creature is capable of inflicting the most deadly wounds. It is
remarkable for a glandular orifice at the lower part of the back,
surrounded by strong bristles. From this gland exudes a strong-scented
fluid; so that, as soon as the creature is killed, it is necessary to
cut it out, or the rest of the flesh becomes so imbued as to make it
unfit for food.

In its habits it is like the hog, and lives on the same kind of food,
but its chief duty in the economy of nature is that of destroying
reptiles and snakes of all sorts,--particularly the rattlesnake, which
it attacks without the slightest hesitation; nor does it appear to
suffer in any way when bitten. It gives voice with a sharp, shrill
grunt; but when angry, it smartly clashes its tusks together, making a
sound heard at a considerable distance, and announcing its approach.

The flesh is somewhat dry and insipid, and entirely destitute of fat.
That of the female is considered the best.

The larger species--the white-lipped peccary--is dreaded by the farmers,
as it frequently, in large numbers, attacks their c