582 The Naturalist Brazilian Expedition. [June, 
(rato da taquara) which occasionally appears in immense num- 
bers, though it is generally very rare. 
Tapirs, or antas, are now very rare near São João, though they 
are common in the less settled parts of the province; in the equa- 
torial forests of Brazil they are among the most abundant ani- 
mals. They wander only in the high forest, coming to streams 
at night to drink and wallow; their food consists of leaves and 
ruits. 
Tapirs are readily tamed, and they are rather affectionate and 
intelligent pets. A friend of mine once suffered a terrible fright 
from a tame tapir. He was passing the night at a Brazilian house 
where one of these animals was allowed to roam about at will 
My friend slept in a hammock, whence, about midnight, he was 
very rudely ejected by a large animal which attempted to pass 
underneath him ; as the hammock hung low, the animal's back 
acted on it like an earthquake, and the sleeper tumbled out. 
Awakened thus suddenly, he threw out his hands, to find them 
in contact with a rough, cold skin. A yell of terror brought the 
other inmates of the house, and the offending tapir was ign 
iously dragged away ; but my friend did not soon recover from 
his fright. 
The te kinds of wild hogs found here seem to see 
with the species (taiassi and caititú) found on the Ane a 
in Matto Grosso. Both wander in small droves, eating fruits 
roots; they are seldom seen on the open lands, and "a ai 
there they quickly seek refuge in the forest. Once una% 
trees they are apt to show fight, facing the hunter and gnashing 
their long tusks. Their meat is very good. 
Two nd of ant-eaters, the large 7 amandua snes pi 
medium-sized Tamanduá pequeno are found here; the firs 
to walk only on the ground, but the ¢amandud aE: dish 
climbs trees in search of ants’ nests. The small a state the 
ing species does not appear to be found here. In opty irur, but 
tamanduás seem to feed only on termites and insect 
i ad. We 
they may be tamed, and they will then eat rice and bre a 
: the 
1Our word tapir, the Latin zapirus and the French taf” come from 
-Guarany name /apiira or tapiir. Anta in Portuguese means pR er ds or 
Banner ant-eater, in allusion to its broad, spreading tail, whic eat ant-ealet- ae 
its back; on the Amazons it is also called samandud-asst, pa i ant, and 
manduá appears to be derived from the Tupy-Guarany 444 y T 
trap. 
