MAMMIFEROUS ANIMALS. 



The^Tapir, though differing in form and mag- 

 nitude from the other animal, may be considered, 

 from its haunts aud habits, the Hippopotamus of 

 America, where it is to be met with in the woods 

 and rivers of the Southern portion of that conti- 

 nent, from the Isthmus of Darien to the streams 

 of the Amazon. 



This animal is about the size of a small Ox, 

 and in its general conformation, is very similar to 

 the Hog, excepting that the snout forms a pro- 

 boscis far beyond the lower jaw, which, like 

 that of the Elephant, can be contracted or ex- 

 tended at pleasure ; while the back is rather more 

 arched, and the legs shorter, in proportion to the 

 size of the body 



Like the Hippopotamus, it exceeds in the 

 number of its teeth, most other quadrupeds, hav- 

 ing ten incisors, ten grinders, and two canine 

 teeth in each jaw, making in all forty-two. 



to England, with all the flesh about it, in a high slate of preser- 

 vation. This Amphibious Animal was harpooned while in 

 combat with a Crocodile in a lake in the interior of Africa. 

 The head measures near four feet long, and eight feet in cir- 

 cumference ; the jaws open two feet wide, and the cutting teeth 

 of which ii has four in each jaw, are above a foot long, and four 

 inches in circumference. This formidable and terrific creature, 

 when full grown, measures about 17 feet long from the extremi- 

 ty of the snout to the insertion of the tail, about 16 feet in cir- 

 cumference round the body, and stands above 7 feet high. It 

 runs with astonishing swiftness for its greatbulk, at the bottom 

 of lakes and rivers, but not with as much ease on land. The 

 head is intended as a present to His Majesty." 



See Magazine of Natural History , Volume 1. Page 288. 



