200 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS. — CLASS I. MAM.MALLV. 



grow like two curs out of its checks, and the lower jiart of its head appears 

 as if ciH'losed in a sack. 



/S'. Tof'j/Ktliis. — The Collared Peccary. The eastern side of South 

 America is tiie habitat of this species, where it fre(pients the forests, living on 

 vegetables and roots. The color is a kind of yellowish-gray. The hairs 

 along the neck and back are very long, and form a bristly nianc, which is 

 erected when the animal is irritated. From behind the shoulders to the fore 

 part of the neck the bristles arc whitish, forming a narrow, oblifpie line of 

 that color, resembling a collar, whence its specific name. It has a peculiar 

 gland upon the rump. 



iS. L'lbidtKs. — Tiie "\\'hite-Lipped Peccary.- This animal is considerably 

 larger than the last. Tiic hairs of the body are black, and the lips and nose 

 white. The species inhabits Paraguay, is of gregarious habit, assembling in 

 vast troops, which are conunandcd by some old male. A thousand some- 

 times congregate together, and stretch for a mile in length. They obey 

 imijlicitely the orders of the leader. If any obstacle is to Ijc overcome, a 

 council of deliberation is held, and when the leader moves, all follow. They 

 arc exjjert swimmers, and wide rivers arc crossed by them with case. These 

 bands would attack a horseman if in the way, or mcilesting them. 



Cieinis TapiicUS. — T\w Tapirs. Of this singular genus there ai'e three 

 species known, two inhabiting the American continent, and one some of the 

 Asiatic islands. Tlie animals t)f this group have the nose and nostrils more 

 prolonged than in an}' of the other [)achyderms except the elephant, employ- 

 ing this part of their structure as an organ of touch and smell, and partially 

 of prehension. 



T. ^[>ntrlcu)iu><. Tiie Tapir of South America is friim Ciwc to six feet 

 in length, powerfully organized, and is covered willi a scanty, close-lying 

 hair, forming a bristly mane upon the neck. The color is a deep-brown. It 

 delights in the water, to which it flees when attacked by dogs, and its thick 

 skin is said to be impervious to a nuiskct ball. It is, howe\er, taken by 

 being trapped, or shot with poisoned arrows. 



T. I'iiicliaqnr. — The Tapir of the Andes. The size of this species is 

 nearly the same as that of the former. On the chin there is a white sjiot, 

 which is prolonged to the angle of the mouth, and returns upon the upper 

 lip for near half its length. The color is blackish-brown. 



Tlic American tapirs are harndess, inoftcnsi\e creatures, sluggish in the 

 extreme, inhabiting the thickest forests, and issuing only on the approach of 

 twilight to feed, after a day spent in prolound sleep. They feed chiefly on 

 vcgetaliles; are easily tamed, bcccimc familiar with, and know their master, 

 and will follow him like a dog. It has been suggested that they might be 

 trained as beasts of burden, for v.hich their great strensth would well fit them. 



