ORDER VII. PACHYDERMATA. 49 



,njected with considerable force through the apertures of the 

 nostrils into the throat. 



There are two species of elephant ; the Indian or Asiatic, 

 which inhabits the southern parts of Asia and the Indian 

 isles ; and the African, found in Africa, from the river Sene- 

 gal to the Cape of Good Hope. 



The great Mastodon, or Mammoth, as it has been more 

 frequently called, an animal whose bones only have been dis- 

 covered, the species itself having become extinct, resembled 

 the elephant in many respects. It has been ascertained, from 

 the remains which have been found, that this animal pos- 

 sessed a trunk, tusks, and feet, similar to those of the ele- 

 phant, and was of an equal size, but still more heavy and 

 unwieldy. Its remains have been discovered in great abun- 

 dance in North America, but rarely in any other part of the 

 world. The bones of a smaller species have been found on 

 the eastern continent. 



The Hippopotamus, or River Horse, inhabits principally 

 the rivers of the south of Africa, but was formerly known 

 upon the southern extremities of the Nile. It is sometimes 

 found ten or twelve feet in length, and six or seven in 

 height. It has two very large tusks in the under jaw, which 

 are partly concealed by its projecting snout and lips. These 

 tusks are used by dentists for the manufacture of artificial 

 teeth. It is a heavy, stupid, and ferocious animal ; its body 

 is thick, massy, and clumsy ; and its legs are so short that its 

 belly almost drags upon the ground. It subsists upon roots 

 and other vegetable substances, and frequently commits great 

 devastation in the fields of millet, corn, rice, sugar-cane, &/c. 

 It walks with great ease at the bottom of the water, though 

 obliged occasionally to rise to the surface for breath. An 

 attack upon it while in the water is dangerous, since, when 

 wounded, it becomes exceedingly furious, and often tears to 

 pieces the boat of its aggressors. 



Of the Rhinoceros there are several species. The one 

 homed rhinoceros is somewhat larger than the hippopotamus, 

 and is equally stupid and ferocious. It has one large and 

 solid horn, three feet in length, projecting from its snout. 

 It frequents moist and marshy grounds, and feeds upon herbs, 

 roots, and branches of trees. The other species have two 

 horns, and are generally similar in form and habits of life. 



The Tapir is the largest quadruped of South America ; it 

 is of about the size of an ass, and inhabits marshes and low 

 grounds. Its nose terminates in a short and movable trunk 

 5 



