Peccary (Dicotyles), a genus of the family Suidæ, containing at least two species. They have fewer teeth (thirty-eight) than the ordinary swine (forty-four), and a very short tail. The name Dicotyles is derived from a gland upon the back, almost corresponding in position to the navel below. D. torquatus is found from Arkansas to Patagonia, and is about 3 feet long; but the larger and fiercer D. labiatus only ranges from
Central America to southern Brazil. The latter is exceptionally pugnacious, and, as it goes about commonly in herds, it is extremely dangerous to meet with. Even the jaguar is said to retire before several of these animals when banded together. Both species, which freely breed together, are usually to be seen at the Zoological Gardens in London.