422 THE COMMON AMERICAN TAPIR. 



Cayenne, and enter the neighbouring woods, from which they 

 return in the evening to the house where they are fed. He not 

 only assures us that they are fond of being noticed, recognise 

 their master, follow him about, and give him various tokens of 

 attachment, but he expresses his belief that " with care and 

 attention they might be rendered serviceable as robust beasts 

 of burden j their thick-set form, and great strength, would 

 enable them to bear very heavy loads j and the gentleness of 

 their disposition raises a strong presumption that they would 

 be found to possess docility and patience." 



The female brings forth her young in November, away from 

 the society of the male, who takes no part in rearing it. M. 

 de la Borde says, that the female accustoms it at an early 

 period to enter the water, where it plunges and plays before 

 the parent, and she seems to enact the part of instructress in 

 this exercise. The young one is at first spotted with white, 

 like a fawn. 



The flesh is eaten by the wild natives. 



