606 THE AMERICAN TAPIR. 



thus obtained. On an average, each pair of tusks, taking the small with the great, will weigh 

 about one hundred and twenty pounds. 



There is an ingenious but a very cruel method of procuring ivory, which is employed by 

 the Somali. The hunter contrives to crawl towards the Elephant as it is reposing, and with a 

 single stroke of a very sharp sword nearly severs the principal tendon of the hind leg. At the 

 time, the animal thinks little of the wound, evidently supposing it to be caused by the prick 

 of a thorn. In order to rid himself of the supposed thorn, he stamps violently on the ground, 

 and flings out the wounded limb, until the damaged sinew parts, and the Elephant is rendered 

 incapable of locomotion. The hunters do not trouble themselves about the poor beast, know- 

 ing that he must soon die of hunger and thirst, as he cannot stir from the spot on which he 

 was wounded. After a sufficient time has elapsed for putrefaction to have done its work, the 

 hunters return to the spot, and easily draw the tusks from the skull. The tail is cut off, and 

 evermore exhibited as a trophy of victory. 



THE TAPIRS. 



One of the links which unite the elephants to the swine and rhinoceros is to be found in 

 the genus Tapirus. The animals which belong to this genus are remarkable for the prolonged 

 upper lip, which is formed into a kind of small proboscis, not unlike that of the elephant, but 

 upon a smaller scale, and devoid of the finger-like appendage at the extremity. Only two 

 species are at present existing, but the fossil remains of many other species have been discov- 

 ered, which, by the peculiar length of proboscis and general formation, seem to render the 

 transition from the elephant to the swine less abrupt. The body is heavy and powerful, the 

 skin thick and almost devoid of hair, and the tail is almost wanting. 



The common or American Tapir, sometimes called the Mborebi, is a native of tropical 

 America, where it is found in great numbers, inhabiting the densely wooded regions that 

 fringe the banks of rivers. It is a great water-lover, and can swim or dive with perfect ease. 

 Although a large animal, being nearly four feet in height, and very strongly made, it falls a 

 victim to many destroyers, the jaguar being the most terrible of its enemies. It is said that 

 when the jaguar leaps upon the Tapir's back, the affrighted animal rushes through the brush- 

 wood in hopes of sweeping away its deadly foe, and if it be fortunate enough to gain the 

 river's bank, will plunge into the water, and force the jaguar, who is no diver, to relinquish 

 his hold. The tough, thick hide with which the Tapir is covered is of great service in enabling 

 the animal to pursue its headlong course through the forest without suffering injury from the 

 branches. When it runs, it carries its head very low, as does the wild boar under similar 

 circumstances. 



In disposition the Tapir is very gentle, and does not attack human beings except when 

 wounded and driven to bay. It then becomes a fierce and determined opponent, and is capable 

 of inflicting severe wounds with its powerful teeth. The hunter's dogs are often dangerously 

 wounded by the teeth of the despairing Tapir. The voice of the Tapir is a curious shrill kind 

 of whistling sound, which is but seldom uttered. The senses of the animal are very acute, 

 and its sight, hearing, and scent appear to be equally sensitive. During the daytime it is 

 seldom seen, preferring to lie quietly hidden in the deep underwood during the hotter hours of 

 the day, and to emerge at night in order to obtain food and meet its companions. The nocturnal 

 journeys which the Tapir will make are of considerable extent, and the animal proceeds straight 

 onwards, heedless of bank or river, surmounting the one and swimming the other with equal 

 ease. The food of the Tapir is generally of a vegetable nature, and consists of young branches 

 and various wild fruits, such as gourds and melons. 



The color of the adult Tapir is a uniform brown, but the young is beautifully variegated 

 with yellowish-fawn spots and stripes upon a rich brown-black ground, reminding the observer 

 of the peculiar tinting of the Hood's marmot. The neck is adorned with a short and erect 



