Fig. 37.14. Living relatives of the horse. Upper, American tapir and young; 

 note the break of color on the young one comparable to the spots on a young 

 robin. Lower, African black rhinoceros, pair and young. Like horses (zebras and 

 asses) they are hoofed animals whose weight is borne on one hoof. (Order Peris- 

 sodactyla.) According to the fossils the living tapirs have not changed in essentials 

 since the time, at least 20 million years ago, when their ancestors resembled the 

 small ancient horse (Eohippus). Their only special structure is the proboscis, more 

 of a promise than an achievement. Rhinoceros history is more complex than that 

 of tapirs and many types have perished including those that could run. (Courtesy, 

 American Musuem of Natural History, New York.) 



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