242 THE AMERICAN TAPIR. 



indications of lighter spots and horizontal lines 

 on the ribs, flanks, and thighs." 



This animal is frequently hunted by the South 

 Americans with dogs, sometimes it is trapped, 

 sometimes killed with poisoned arrows by the 

 natives, and occasionally it is shot. In all the 

 contests, it is with difficulty mastered, for though 

 inoffensive, its thick skin withstands the attacks of 

 the dogs, and its great strength allows it to handle 

 very severely those who are foremost or boldest in 

 the attack. It is either surprised from its lair, or 

 intercepted at early dawn, on its return from its 

 feeding ground ; and when pursued, makes always 

 for water, where he can stand on his defence, 

 while the dogs are obliged to swim around, and 

 are incapable of exerting all their powers. The 

 skin is remarkably thick, and is said to resist a 

 musket ball. M. Roulin mentions having fired at 

 one crossing a stream, and seeing his ball make 

 an impression on the back without farther harm. 

 This might glance off, but we question if the skin 

 of any of these large animals would resist a ball 

 directly fired from a properly loaded and efficient 

 gun. They are hunted for the skin, which is 

 *trong, as we have mentioned, and also for the 

 nssh which the Indians delight in ; but which is 

 said to be coarse and unpalatable to the unaccus- 

 tomed stomach of the European. 



The other American species is 



