NATURAL RELATIONS 7 



as noted, is grouped naturally with the tapir and rhinoceros families 

 in forming the PE RISSOD ACT YL (odd-toed) UNGULATES 

 (hoofed animals). Away back in the Tertiary times the ancestors 

 of these families more closely resembled each other than do the 

 present representatives. And yet many important points of resem- 

 blance are now presented to the keen observation of the naturalist. 

 For example, the prehensile upper lip of the horse and the exten- 

 sible snout of the tapir may have been developed from the same 

 ancestral features. 



The rhinoceros family is steadily diminishing in numbers and 



BURCHELL'S ZEBRA 



(Courtesy Scientific American) 



will one day be only a tradition of former times, while the tapir 

 is already coming near to its extermination. The horse, however, 

 appears to be assured of a perpetual place as one of man's most 

 valued subjects. The greater portion of hoofed animals in domes- 

 tication as well as in a wild state belong to the pair-toed branch, 



^very horse needs salt. Leave a lump of rocl^ salt in the manger. 



