PACHYDERMATA. 167 



in that very subordinate degree necessary for dig- 

 ging the soil ; the limbs are merely supporters of the 

 body, and their extremities are enclosed in hollow, 

 horny, box-like, insensible hoofs. 



The Order before us, the first of the Ungulate or 

 Hoofed Animals, contains the largest of all the terres- 

 trial creatures. They are characterized by the thick- 

 ness of their tough and leathery skin, and the want 

 of a ruminating stomach, though their natural food 

 is wholly vegetable. Most of them are but thinly 

 clothed with hair, and some are almost entirely 

 destitute of it, having only a few scattered bristles. 

 The impenetrable character of the hide is thus need- 

 ful to protect them from the maddening punctures 

 of the venomous ticks and flies, which swarm in the 

 sultry regions of the Tropics. For the same reason 

 they seek refuge, during the burning heat of the 

 day, in ponds and rivers, where, immersed to the neck, 

 they enjoy the refreshing coolness, or, wallowing in 

 the soft mud of the morasses, acquire an additional 

 protection against these, their most formidable, 

 though tiny foes. Conscious of their own massive 

 strength, they fear no other enemies : 



" Created thing nought valued [they], nor shunn'd ; " 



until the aggressions of man taught them his superi- 

 ority : inoffensive and peaceful, they rarely use their 

 gigantic powers of injury ; but when irritated, they 

 often exhibit a furious and revengeful ferocity. 

 Heavy and massive in their structure, their pillar-like 

 limbs seem ill calculated for speed ; yet, " their pace, 

 when they have fairly commenced it, from the length of 



