NATURAL HISTORY 



Sub-family b. Tapirina. 



TAPIRUS. 



Terrestris (Lat. belonging to the earth). 



The TAPIR forms one of the links connecting the elephant 

 with the hog. The snout is lengthened into a kind of 

 prohoscis like that of the elephant, but it is comparatively 

 short, and has no finger-like appendage at the extremity. 

 Many of the remaining links are supplied by the various 

 species of the fossil genus Palasotherium. 



The Common Tapir is spread throughout the warmer 

 regions of South America. It sleeps during the day, and 

 wanders about at night in search of its food, which consists of 

 water melons, gourds, and other vegetables. It is very fond 

 of the water, and can remain below the surface for a consi- 

 derable period. It is a very powerful animal, and as it is 

 furnished with a very thick hide, it plunges through the 

 brushwood, breaking its way through any obstacles that may 

 oppose its progress. 



Its disposition is gentle, but when annoyed it sometimes 

 rushes at its antagonist and defends itself vigorously with 



