THE TAPIR. 185 



so that there is a complete series of links between the 

 elephant at one end of the scale, and the swine at the 

 other. 



The upper lip of the rhinoceros is, as we all know, 

 capable of great elongation, and can be worked very 

 much after the fashion of the elephant's proboscis. 

 Indeed, when the rhinoceros desires to feed, it always 

 gathers together the fodder with its upper lip, rolls 

 it into a bundle, and by means of that useful member, 

 tucks the bundle into its mouth. 



The same organ of the Tapir is, however, very 

 much more developed; and it can be turned and 

 twisted about in such a manner as to give a wonderful 

 variety of expressions to the animal. Some of these 

 modifications of shape may be seen in the illustration ; 

 and, if the reader would like to study the subject for 

 himself, he has only to go to the Zoological Gardens, 

 and offer to one of the animals a little tuft of grass, 

 holding it slightly out of reach. The Tapir will then 

 be induced to protrude its lip to the utmost, and a 

 very curious object it will be sure to be. 



Like the hippopotamus, the Tapir is always found 

 in the immediate vicinity of water ; and, though 

 not partaking so largely of the amphibious nature, is 

 yet a very aquatic animal. Like the hippopotamus, 

 it always retreats to the water for safety when alarmed, 

 and is a much greater traveller than that animal. The 

 hippopotamus is rather local, and loves to hang about 

 one spot ; whereas the Tapir is much of a wanderer, 

 and will make single journeys of wonderful extent, 

 partly by swimming and partly by walking. The 

 specimens in the Zoological Gardens are very fond of 



