IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 137 



having set in, it was found necessary to remove a portion of the 

 rectum ; the animal, unfortunately, did not recover. The disease, 

 however, generally yields to treatment if early adopted. The first and 

 important thing is to gently and carefully reduce the prolapsus and 

 introduce a suppository consisting of equal parts of powdered catechu 

 and tannic acid, tied in a small piece of muslin, some anodyne being 

 at the same time applied ; frequent application of ice is also recom- 

 mended : by way of diet the animal should be restricted to linseed meal 

 and barley. If the case proves obstinate, besides the astringent supposi- 

 tory, anodynes and ice, sustained digital pressure should be applied, and 

 for this purpose the animal should be confined within a small space. 

 Perfect quietness should at all times be enjoined. 



Observations on the habits of tapirs. 



Ordinarily tapirs sleep or remain indoors during the greater part 

 of the day, becoming livelier towards the evening, when the time 

 for feeding arrives; and if there is any delay in obtaining food at the 

 usual time, it calls for it by uttering, every now and then, a squeaking 

 note, peculiaTly expressive of want. Their mental capacities do not 

 appear to be susceptible of any training, so that they never become 

 thoroughly tame or friendly, as might have been expected from their 

 inoffensive nature. They are never aggressive, but if annoyed or 

 enraged they are capable of inflicting severe wounds by biting. 



They much enjoy bathing and swimming, and have sometimes 

 been observed to remain under water for at least a minute. The locomo- 

 tion of the hairy tapir is accompanied by much angular flexion of the 

 joints, causing the limbs to be drawn up high at each footfall. 



(170) THE WILD ASS. 

 (EQUUS ONAGEK— Pall.) 

 Hindi — Qorkhur. 

 Description. — Height at shoulder 11 to 12 hands ; above isabelline 

 with a slight rufescent tinge ; muzzle, breast, and the inner aspects 

 of the limbs white ; a dark chocolate colour median stripe extends 

 from the mane to the tail ; in some specimens there are dark cross 

 stripes on the shoulder, and limbs faintly but distinctly marked. They 

 vary somewhat in height ; specimens now living in the garden, are 

 about three years and six months old and less than 11 hands high ; 

 but animals of the same age have been found to be over 11 hands. 



Sab. — The Punjab, Sindh, the deserts of Cutch and Eajputana, 

 extending through Afghanistan and Beluchistan to Persia. The race 

 of the wild ass is gradually becoming extinct. 



Length or life in captivity. 

 A little over five years. 



(171) THE DOMESTIC ASS. 



(EQUUS A8INTJS— Zmmi.) 

 Both the Indian and African varieties have been exhibited. 



