174 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE LONG-NOSED TAPIIR. 



(Hippopotamus Terrestris, Linn. Lc Tapir , BufF.) 



Is the Hippopotamus of the new world, and has 

 by some authors been mistaken for that animal. It 

 inhabits the woods and rivers on the eastern side 

 of South America, from the isthmus of Darien to 

 the river of the Amazons. It is a solitary animal, 

 sleeps during the day, and goes out in the night in 

 search of food; lives on grass, sugar-canes, and 

 fruits. If disturbed, it takes to the water, swims 

 with great ease, or plunges to the bottom ; and like 

 the Hippopotamus, walks there as on dry ground. 



It is about the size of a small Cow: its nose is 

 long and slender, and extends far beyond the lower 

 jaw, forming a kind of proboscis, which it can con- 

 tract or extend at pleasure: each jaw is furnished 

 with ten cutting teeth, and as many grinders; its 

 ears are small and erect ; its body formed like that 

 of a Hog; its back arched; legs short; and hoofs, 

 of which it has four upon each foot, small, black, 



