324 FAMILY TAPIRID.E ; TAPIR. 



not present any indication of a cleft in the centre, the number of 

 toes being usually but three ; and the molars are six or seven on 

 each side of each jaw, with crescentic ridges of enamel ; the 

 incisors and canines, however, vary in the different genera. In 

 the second family, including the Hog, Hippopotamus, &c., the 

 feet have four toes and are cleft in the centre, thus presenting an 

 approach to the Ruminants, which is shown also in the stomach, 

 as well as in the foot, of the Peccaries : the teeth are variable in 

 number, but agree for the most part in their characters, the 

 molars being raised into conical summits, and the canines being 

 of great length. 



291. Of the first family, to which the name of TAPIRID^E or 

 the Tapir tribe may be given, no members exist in Europe at the 

 present time ; but fossil remains of numerous species, some of 

 them of great size, exist in some localities. The whole family 

 appears to be usually herbivorous, although some species are as 

 omnivorous as the Hog. Of the Tapir, three species are at 

 present known ; two of them being natives of South America, 

 whilst the other inhabits Sumatra and Malacca. In its general 

 form and contour, the Tapir reminds us of the Hog ; but it is at 

 once distinguished by its snout, which is lengthened into a flex- 

 ible proboscis, that looks like the rudiment of the trunk of the 

 Elephant, and is sufficiently prehensile to grasp fruit or bunches 

 of herbage, or to serve as a hook for drawing down twigs to the 

 mouth (Fig. 57). The anterior feet have four toes, but the 

 posterior only three ; and these have only their tips cased in 

 small hoofs. The incisor teeth are six in number ; the canines 

 small ; and the molars are seven on each side of the upper jaw, 

 and six in the lower. The common American species, which is 

 between three and four feet in height, and from five to six in 

 length, is very extensively spread throughout the warmer regions 

 of South America, where it inhabits deep forests, leading a 

 solitary life, and going in search of food at night. Its enormous 

 muscular power, and the tough thick hide which defends its body, 

 enable it to tear its way through the underwood in whatever 

 direction it pleases; when thus driving onwards, it carries its 

 head low, and, as it were, ploughs its course. It is very fond of 



