This dreadful beast, which has a head and claws like those of a tiger,
which resembles a mastiff in size, has no tail, and possesses singular
ferocity, and equal swiftness, is called by the Guaranies aò, a word
signifying clothing, but given to this beast because, from its wool, the
Guaranies formerly wove themselves garments. They wander gregariously in
pools, marshy places, or woods far from the noise of men. But if one of
them chance to meet an Indian hunting, his life is as good as gone,
unless he can avoid its cruel fangs, by a very swift flight, or by
ascending a tree; though when seated on the very highest boughs he
cannot be perfectly secure, for as these ferocious animals are incapable
of climbing a tree, they will tear it up by the roots with their claws,
and when it falls seize hold of their prey. These things the Indians and
Spaniards all agree in relating and believing. For my part, after so
many journeys on foot, and on horseback, after traversing so many of the
woods, plains and marshes of Paraguay, I never saw even the shadow of
such a beast. From which I infer that they cannot be very numerous, nor
common to the whole province. Would that they were banished from every
part of Paraguay! That ferocious animal which writers call _famacosio_,
most of us think to differ from the aò in name only.