OEDEE OF PACHTDEEMATA. 163 



and tlie Ounce, which spring on its back. The Tapir then 

 rushes headlong into the thickest of the forest, and tries to get 

 rid of its enemy by dashing against the trunks of the trees. 



The female Tapir is not prolific, as she only bears one young 

 one in a season. Her maternal affection, however, is very 

 great. 



In South America the Tapir is hunted, and affords good sport. 

 Its flesh is dry, and rather disagreeable ; but its hide is thick and 

 strong, and can be used for many purposes. 



Such is the American Tapir in its wild state. No one seems to 

 think of rearing these creatures as domestic animals ; and yet it 

 might be worth the trouble of trying the experiment, for they 

 are easily tamed. Frederick Cuvier has given us a few details 

 of the habits of a young Tapir with which he was acquainted. 

 This animal was gentle and confiding ; and appeared to have no 

 will of its own. It did not defend its food, but allowed the Dogs 

 and Groats to partake of it together with itself. When it was let 

 loose into an enclosiu-e, after having been shut up for some time, 

 it showed its joy by running round it several times. It also 

 playfully seized by the back the puppies with which it was 

 brought up. When it was forced to leave a place it liked, it 

 complained by uttering a few plaintive cries. Frederick Cuvier 

 assures us that, if the Tapir would be of any use to us, it could 

 be very easily domesticated. Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire also 

 wished the experiment of domesticating this animal in Europe to 

 be tried ; but his idea was never carried out. 



" 'Not less easy to feed than the Pig," says Isidore Geoffroy 

 Saint-Hilaire, " the Tapir seems to me eminently suited to become 

 one of our domestic animals. When it has no creatures of its 

 own kind to associate with, I have seen it seeking the society of 

 aU. the animals that were near, with an eagerness without an 

 example in other Mammalia. The Tapir would be useful in two 

 ways to man : its flesh, especially when improved by proper diet, 

 woidd furnish a wholesome, and at the same time an agreeable, 

 food ; and as it is much larger than the pig, the Tapir might 

 be of great service as a beast of burden to the inhabitants of 

 the south of Europe, and, after a time, to those of colder 

 countries." 



During a sojourn of some months in the Andes of America, 



m2 



