388 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



111 their fondness for water tapirs probably retain a habit possessed by 

 their primitive ancestors the pahrotheria ot the Tertiary deposits of the 

 Paris basin ; for it seems that all the primitive hoofed mammals, whether 

 beloneinir to the odd-toed or the even-toed 2;roup, were more or less 

 aquatic in their habits ; the grazing animals, such as horses and antelopes, 

 only having come into existence contemporaneously with the appearance of 

 extensive grassy plains. The tapirs and rhinoceroses in the odd-toed group, 

 and the swine and hippopotamuses in the even-toed section, are some of the 

 modern ungulates in which this ancestral habit is conspicuously displayed. 

 As regards tapirs, not only are" they most expert swimmers, crossing large 

 and rapid rivers, even when in tiood, with facility, but also diving below 

 the surface, and perhaps at times walking on the river-bed itselt. 

 Occasionally tapirs are seen in arid districts, but only in passage from one 

 forest tract to another. Places where there is a salt efflorescence in the 

 soil are frequently visited by these animals for the sake of the saline 

 matter. 



The senses of smell and hearing are strongly developed in tapirs, 

 enabling them to recognise the approach of danger at a considerable 

 distance. When frightened by such danger these animals, owing to their 

 great muscular strength, are able to rush headlong through the forest, in 

 spite of the density ot the vegetation. At other times they are slow and 

 almost sluggish in their movements, generally walking along with the 

 muzzle raised but little above the ground. Although on ordinary 

 occasions timid and harmless creatures, a female tapir whose young one has 

 been killed or captured will frequently rush impetuously on the hunters or 

 their hounds, knocking them over and then trampling upon and biting them. 

 A shrill whistle is the characteristic sound uttered by tapirs, but, according 

 to Dr. Goeldi, this is emitted only by the female. Both sexes when 

 frightened give vent to a loud snort as they rush off. 



The rtesh and hide of the tapir are much valued by the aborigines ot 



