HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 175 



and hollow; its tail is very small; its hair short, 

 and of a dusky brown colour. 



The Tapiir is mild and inoffensive, avoids all 

 hostilities with other animals, and flies from every 

 appearance of danger. Its skin, of which the In- 

 dians make bucklers, is very thick; and when 

 dried, is so hard as to resist the impression of an 

 arrow. The natives eat its flesh, which is said to 

 be very good. 



THE RHINOCEROS. 

 (Rhinoceros Unicorn is, Linn. Rhinoceros, Buff.) 



WE are indebted to the labours of many learned 

 and ingenious naturalists for accurate descriptions 

 of this wonderful creature, which in size is exceeded 

 only by the Elephant, and in strength and power 

 is inferior to no other animal. Bontius says, that 

 in the bulk of its body it equals the Elephant, but 

 is lower only on account of the shortness of its 

 legs. 



