1846.] the Malayan Peninsula and Islands. 265 



Dentition. 



6 r, 0-0 >, , 3.3 



Incis. -g Canm. ~YTY Molar > 3 3 



From the first, although fresh from its native wilds, this young Tapir 

 shewed a remarkably gentle disposition. The daytime it spent in 

 sleeping in a dark recess of the portico of my house, though it would 

 rouse itself if noticed. Towards sunset it became lively, would bathe, 

 feed, saunter abroad, and with its lengthened nose examine objects 

 in the way. Within a few days after its arrival, it commenced to 

 exhibit a marked partiality to the society of man, not indeed to its 

 keeper in particular, whom it scarcely had discrimination enough to 

 distinguish, but to any body who happened to notice or caress it. 

 Towards sunset, it would follow a servant on the green in front of 

 the house, and punctually imitate his movements, whether standing, 

 walking, or running. If the man suddenly hid himself, the Tapir 

 would hasten to the spot where it had lost sight of its leader, look 

 about in all directions, and, if unsuccessful in discovering him, express 

 its disappointment by a peculiar loud whistling. On the re- appearance 

 of the man, it expressed its pleasure by rubbing its side against his 

 legs, running between them, occasionally giving out a short singular 

 sound, resembling that produced when the larger wood-peckers tap 

 the trees, but more sonorous. When of an evening it heard the voices 

 of people in the verandah above the portico, it exhibited strong marks 

 of impatience, till let loose, when of its own accord it would, awkward- 

 ly enough, ascend a flight of stairs leading to the verandah. It would 

 then quietly lie down at their feet, and by stretching its limbs and shak- 

 ing its head, express the satisfaction it derived from being caressed ; 

 and it was only by compulsion that it could be made to leave the 

 company. Its food consisted of plantains, pine-apples, mangustins, 

 jambu, leaves of Ficus pipul, sugar-cane, and boiled rice, of which 

 latter it was particularly fond, if mixed with a little salt. Its drink 

 was water, and also milk and cocoanut oil, which latter taste the 

 Tapir possesses in common with the O'rang-utan. It delighted in 

 bathing, and was otherwise cleanly. When roaming about the garden, 

 (its walk was like that of the elephant,) it would select a spot with soft 

 earth, and like a cat form with its hind legs a small excavation, and 



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