274 HOOFED ANIMALS 



to the scarcely perceptible tail. Like its American con- 

 geners, the animal is of an exceedingly retiring disposition, 

 but it can easily be domesticated, and a tame Tapir is an 

 ordinary sight in a native village. A young one, when 

 captured, can easily be led by the hunter, who bores 

 a hole in the side of the snout, through which he passes 

 a cord. 



The flesh of the Tapir is coarse and dry to Europeans, 

 but the South American Indians consider it almost as 

 savoury as beef. The nape of the neck and the feet, cooked 

 to a jelly, are morsels which Lucullus himself might have 

 welcomed. Much the same thing used to be said of the foot 

 of the elephant, whereas in reality European hunters fail to 

 view it as a special delicacy. 



FAMILY EQUID^ (HORSES). 



In this family are the Horses, Asses, and Zebras, the solid- 

 ungulated animals which have the bones of their toes 

 enclosed in a solid, single hoof. Two species have been 

 domesticated for so long that it is somewhat difficult to 

 trace their natural origin. In another classification the 

 family belongs to the order Pachydermata, or thick-skinned 

 animals, in which were included the elephant, hippopota- 

 mus, swine, rhinoceros, tapir, and hyrax. The hair on the 

 body is short and smooth, with the mane and tail usually 

 long and bushy. There are six incisors in each jaw ; the 

 molars are six on each side, above and below ; and there 

 are two canines in the upper and the same number in the 

 lower jaw. Many characteristics of the family are too well 

 known to call for lengthy description, while the most 

 important points will arise in the consideration of each 

 particular species. 



HORSE (Equus caballus). 

 Coloured Plate XVI. Fig. 2, Plate XXVII. 



True Horses are represented by one common and well- 

 established species, from which all other varieties are 



