458 



UNGULATES. 



belong to the existing genus, tapirs may be regarded as among the oldest of living 

 Mammals. It was considered by Mr. Wallace that the Old World was the original 

 home of the group, from whence they migrated to North America ; but subsequent 

 discoveries have rendered this doubtful. Probably, however, they are but com- 

 paratively recent immigrants into Central and South America. And it is interesting 

 to notice, as Mr. Wallace observes, that while in the Old World, where they were 

 once so abundant, they have dwindled down to a single species, existing in small 

 numbers in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo only, in the western 



THE MALAYAN TAPIR (fg uat. Size 



continent they occupy a much larger area, and are represented by several distinct 

 species. With regard to the probable ancestors of the tapirs, we shall have some 

 remarks to make at the conclusion of this chapter. 



Save for the circumstance that the Malayan species differs from all the rest in 

 coloration, the various kinds of tapirs are remarkably alike, both in respect of 

 bodily form and habits. Whereas, however, four of the species are found at or near 

 the sea-level, the fifth inhabits comparatively high elevations in the Cordilleras. 



Speaking of tapirs in general, Sir W. H. Flower remarks that 

 " they are solitary, nocturnal, shy, and inoffensive, chiefly frequenting 



Habits. 



