In lakes and rivers dwells the water-dog, called by the Guaranies
aguarà, and I have often seen it in plains near the shore. Though larger
than a mastiff it is afraid of every thing, takes to flight on espying a
man at a distance, and is an object of fear to no one. Its ears resemble
those of an ass, its head that of a dog. It has plenty of strong and
sharp teeth. By night it roars very loud, and lies in wait for lesser
animals. The Abipones hunt it for the sake of its skin alone, which is
shaggy, of a dark yellow colour, and marked along the back with a black
line like an ass. Its hair is extremely soft and much valued by the
Spaniards on account of its efficacy in assuaging sciatica, gout, and
pains in the bowels. Some lay it upon saddles, finding its warmth
extremely salutary. On returning from Paraguay I brought some of it
home, but it was stolen from me, a loss which I regret to this day.