400 ON THE 



An animal resembling the Tapir has been no- 

 ticed in some of the Islands of the Indian Ocean, 

 but not so frequently as exactly to determine 

 how far it is to be considered a variety of the 

 same species. This animal was seen and has 

 been described by Sir Stamford Raffles. 



The American Tapir is a mild and inoffensive 

 animal, frequenting the woods and rivers as we 

 have described, and like theHippopotamus, feed- 

 ing by night on grass, sugar canes, fruits, and the 

 leaves of trees, and using its proboscis like the 

 Elephant to seize and convey its food to its 

 mouth. If attacked, or alarmed, it flies to the 

 water, swimming with great ease, and plunging 

 to the bottom, where, like the Hippopotamus, it 

 walks on the ground, until compelled to return 

 to the surface for a supply of air; and if it cannot 

 escape, it makes a most desperate resistance 

 both against Men and Dogs. its flesh is 

 eaten by the Natives, and by them its skin is con- 

 verted into leather, and used for various other 

 purposes ; but it does not appear that its tusks, 

 like those of the Hippopotamus, are called into 

 any particular use. 



The general character of the Hog and the 

 Horse, is too well kn:)wn, to need illustration in 

 a lecture which may be considered altogether 

 popular. But I cannot pass over the latter ani- 

 mal, without bearing testimony to the noble qua- 



