THE TAPIR. T21 



sessecl a very familiar tapir. Having given him to 

 the captain of one of the Brazilian coasting vessels, 

 he took him himself on board. But when the tapir 

 saw his master depart, he began to show signs of 

 disquietude. At length, when the steam was getting 

 up, the animal became furious, ran about from one side 

 to the other, and having found a port-hole open, he 

 threw himself into the sea, swam towards the coast, 

 arrived there safe and sound, and went to find his 

 master, who vowed he would never part with him 

 again. 



They hunt the tapir by night, sometimes with dogs, 

 sometimes by lying in wait for him in the water-melon 

 grounds; but as he has excellent sight, and a very 

 sensitive ear, it is not easy to surprise him. 



If he can reach deep water he throws himself in, 

 and remains a long time submerged, and reappears at 

 a long distance from the place where he plunged in. 

 When there are woods in the immediate proximity, ho 

 throws himself into the thickest brakes, removing and 

 breaking whatever comes in contact with his head, 

 which he carries close to the ground. 



Those who hunt him with the gun, never stop him 

 at once ; and d'Azara relates having seen one whose 

 heart was pierced by two balls, and which before falling 

 ran a distance of two hundred yards. Keduced to 

 extremity, he kicks out his leprs and seizes the dog 



