Javelin

peccary

 or javelin

Collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu).

(credit: Jen and Des Bartlett—Bruce Coleman Inc.)

Any of three species (family Tayassuidae) of New World even-toed ungulates resembling pigs. Found in deserts and wet tropical forests from Texas to Patagonia, peccaries are gray with white markings and have small, erect ears and almost no tail. They grow to 30–35 in. (75–90 cm) long and weigh 37–66 lb (17–30 kg). A scent gland that opens on the back and emits a strong, musky odour inspired the belief that peccaries have two navels. Peccaries have spearlike upper canines and eat plants, small animals, and carrion. They live in groups of 5–25 or 50–100, depending on the species.

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javelin

1. a long pointed spear thrown as a weapon or in competitive field events

2. the javelin the event or sport of throwing the javelin

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Javelin 

or dart, a small throwing spear. Javelins with points made of stone and bone were already in use as a hunting weapon by the Upper Paleolithic period; these javelins were hurled by means of a spear-thrower. The javelin was especially characteristic of tribes such as the Australians who were not familiar with the bow. Iron javelins were used in ancient Greece and Rome. A type of javelin was widely used in Western Europe and Rus’ (where it was called the sulitsa)during the Middle Ages.