94 



MUSEUM OF ANIMATED NATURE. 



[Tapirs. 



and the Syrian Hyrax, or Coney of the Scriptures 

 (Fig. 393). 



391. — The Cape Hyrax, or Dassie of the 

 Colonists 

 (Hyrax Capetisis), is common in the rocky and 

 mountain districts of South Africa, taking up its 

 abode in the fissures of the rugged crags, which 

 afford it. an asylum. It abounds on the sides of 

 Table Mountain, but is so wary, quick, and active, 

 that it is not 1o be approached without much diffi- 

 culty. It often, however, falls a prey to the eagle 

 and falcon, which pounce upon it while feeding in 

 apparent security. The Vulturine Eagle (Aquila 

 Vulturina), which makes the mountain precipices 

 its abode, destroys it in great numbers. This timid 

 little animal is gregarious in its habits, like the 

 rabbit, which it somewhat exceeds in size. The fur 

 is soft and deep, and of a dark greyish brown, be- 

 coming of a paler tint beneath. There is no tail. 

 The following communication, by Mr. W. R. Read 

 (see 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' 1835, 

 p. 13), needs no apology for its insertion : — 



" The Hyrax Capensis is found inhabiting the 

 hollows and crevices of rocks, both on the summits 

 and sides of hills, as well as near the sea-shore, even 

 a little above high-water mark. It appears to live 

 in families, and is remarkably shy in its wild state. 

 In winter it is fond of coming out of its hole, and 

 sunning itself on the lee side of a rock, and in sum- 

 mer of enjoying the breeze on the top; but in both 

 instances, as well as when it feeds, a sentinel is on 

 the look out (generally an old male), which gives 

 notice, usually by a shrill prolonged cry, of the ap- 

 proach of danger, or even the least movement of any 

 suspicious object. It lives on the young shoots of 

 shrubs, the tops of flowers, herbs and grass, particu- 

 larly of all those which are aromatic." 



393.— The Syrian Hyrax 

 (H. Syrlacus). This species, according to Bruce, 

 is found in Abyssinia, where it haunts the deep 

 caverns and clefts in the rocks. By the natives of 

 Amhara it is termed Ashkoko, or Askoko. Et also 

 tenants the mountains of Syria and Arabia,- and, as 

 in days of old, the rocks of Horeb and of Sinai are 

 still " a refuge for the Coneys." By the Arabs, 

 according to Dr. Shaw, it is called Daman Israel, 

 that is, Lamb of Israel, or rather Ganam or Gannim 

 Israel, as Bruce contends, the word Daman being 

 mistaken for the latter. Most authorities agree 

 that it is the Shaphan (translated Coney) of the 

 Scriptures. The Syrian Hyrax agrees in habits 

 with its Cape relative. It tenants the acclivities of 

 the rocks, sheltering itself under projecting ledges, 

 in deep fissures and caves: it is gregarious, and 

 dozens may be often seen either sitting upon the 

 great stones at the mouth of the caves, to warm 

 themselves in the sun, or playfully skipping about 

 in the enjoyment of the freshness of the evening. 

 When captured, they inflict severe wounds with 

 their formidable incisors, but are soon rendered 

 tame and familiar. Cuvier and many naturalists 

 have hesitated as to the distinctness of the Syrian 

 and the Cape Hyrax. They are, as we think, un- 

 doubtedly different, and the Syrian species may be 

 distinguished by the presence of long bristle-like, 

 but slender, black hairs, dispersed not very thinly 

 over its body and considerably exceeding the fur : 

 such at least was the case with the specimen which 

 we examined ; while in the numerous specimens 

 from the Cape, of all ages, in the museum of the 

 Zoological Society, nothing of the kind is to be per- 

 ceived. Bruce, indeed, noticed this peculiarity, 

 and he considered the Arnharic name Ashkoko "as 

 derived from the singularity of those long herina- 

 ceous hairs which, like small thorns, grow about his 

 back, and which in Amhara are called Ashok." 



A fossil form closely allied to the Hyrax, the skull 

 of which has been discovered in the clay near Heme 

 Bay 7 , has been described by Professor Owen. 



Genus Tapirus. — This genus comprehends, as far 

 as known, only three species, of which two are 

 natives of South America, the other of Sumatra and 

 Malacca. 



The geographical distribution of the existing 

 species of pachydermatous animals is so partial, 

 that we are surprised to find the islands of Sumatra 

 and the peninsula of Malacca dividing with South 

 America this limited genus between them. America, 

 compared with Asia and Africa, is deficient in 

 living forms of the Pachydermata : two only are 

 indigenous to that vast continent, viz., the peccary 

 and tapir; and, reasoning from analogy, we should 

 not expect to find either of these forms in any por- 

 tion of the Old World, and more especially in the 

 islands of the Indian Archipelago. The great mass 

 of the Pachydermata are peculiar to the warmer 

 regions of Asia and the continent of Africa; and 

 many genera, as Elephas, Rhinoceros, Sus, and 

 Equus, give species to each, but not to America : so 

 that the existence of cognate species in one of the 

 Indian Islands and in South America appears as if 



it were an exception to a general rule, at least if 

 we limit our views to the races now extant on the 

 earth. Once, indeed, America was replete with 

 animals of this order: and why so few should now 

 appear as their representatives is a point not easy 

 of solution. In their general form and contour the 

 tapirs remind us of the hog ; but the snout consists 

 of a flexible proboscis, not, indeed, elongated like 

 that of the elephant, but still sufficiently developed 

 to serve as a hook by which the animal is capable 

 of drawing down twigs to the mouth, of grasping 

 fruit or bunches of herbage. The nostrils open at 

 its extremity in the form of two transverse fissures, 

 but there is no finger-like appendage. (For ana- 

 tomy see 'Proceed.Zool. Soc.,' 1830,"p. 163.) 



The tapir is a massive, powerful animal ; the 

 limbs are thick and moderately Jong ; the head is 

 large, compressed, and, in the American species, 

 elevated at the occiput (see Fig. 402), whence the 

 thick neck rises with a prominent upper crest or 

 ridge, along which runs a mane of stiff thinly-set 

 hairs. The eyes are small and deep set ; the ears 

 are rather short ; the tail is rudimentary. The an- 

 terior feet are divided into four toes, the hinder into 

 three, the tips only being cased in hoofs. The skin, 

 which is thick, tough, and solid, is sparely covered, 

 excepting in one species, with very short close 

 hair. The dentition (see Fig. 403) consists of six 

 incisors in each jaw; the canines are small, espe- 

 cially those of the upper jaw, and are separated 

 from the molars by a considerable interval; the 

 molars are seven on each side above, and six below, 

 and, until worn down by attrition, the crowns pre- 

 sent two transverse ridges. Fig. 401 represents the 

 skeleton of the ordinary American Tapir; in gene- 

 ral details it approaches that of the rhinoceros. Of 

 the two species of tapir peculiar to America, one has 

 been only recently discovered. It was found by Dr. 

 Roulin in the most elevated regions of the Cordil- 

 lera of the Andes, and is covered with long, thick, 

 black hair. The bones of the nose are more elon- 

 gated than in the other species, and Cuvier regards 

 it as approaching in some respects to the fossil genus 

 Palaeotherium. 



398, 399.— The Common American Tapir 



(Tapirus Americanus) . This species is very ex- 

 tensively spread throughout the warmer regions of 

 South America, but especially between the tropics, 

 where it inhabits the deep forests, leading a solitary 

 life, and seldom stirring from its retreat during the 

 day, which it passes in a state of tranquil slumber. 

 During the night, its season of activity, it wanders 

 forth in quest, of food, which consists of water-melons, 

 gourds, young shoots of brushwood, &c. Its choice 

 of food is not very limited ; and indeed, it appears 

 to be as omnivorous as the hog. Azara, who states 

 that the Guaranis term this animal Mborebi, and 

 the Portuguese of Brazil, Ant a, affirms that it de- 

 vours the barrero, or nitrous earth of Paraguay, and 

 that he has found a quantity of this substance in the 

 stomach. Its senses of smell and hearing are ex- 

 tremely acute, and serve to give notice of the ap- 

 proach of enemies. Its voice, which it seldom 

 utters, is a shrill kind of whistle, in strange contrast 

 with the massive bulk of the animal. Of enormous 

 muscular power, and defended with a tough, thick 

 hide, the tapir is capable of tearing its way through 

 the underwood in whatsoever direction it pleases : 

 when thus driving onwards, it carries its head low, 

 and, as it were, ploughs its course. 



Its fondness for the water is almost as strong as 

 that evinced by the hippopotamus. It swims and 

 dives admirably, and will remain, as we have seen 

 while observing the specimens in the gardens of the 

 Zool. Soc, submerged for many minutes, rise to the 

 surface for breath, and plunge again. When hunted 

 or wounded it always, if possible, makes for the 

 water, and in its nightly wanderings will traverse 

 rivers and lakes in search of food, or for pleasure. 

 The female is very attentive to her young one, lead- 

 ing it about on the land, and accustoming it at an 

 early period to enter the water, where it plunges and 

 plays before its parent, who seems to act as its in- 

 structress. The male takes no share in this work, and 

 does not constantly associate with the female. 



In its disposition the tapir is peaceful and quiet, 

 and, unless' hard pressed, never attempts to attack 

 eilher man or beast; when, however, the hunter's 

 dogs surround it, it defends itself very vigorously 

 with its teeth, inflicting terrible wounds. We have 

 witnessed those in confinement in the gardens of 

 the Zool. Soc. occasionally break out into fits of 

 irritation, plunging about, lunging violently with 

 their heads, and snapping with their teeth like a 

 hog. The most formidable enemy of this animal (if 

 we except man) is the jaguar; and it is asserted 

 that when that tiger of the American forest throws 

 itself upon the tapir, the latter rushes through the 

 most dense and tangled underwood, bruising its 

 enemy, and endeavouring thus to dislodge him, and 

 sometimes succeeds in the attempt. 



In Cayenne the Tapir is occasionally domesticated, 



and is harmless and quiet ; it becomes indeed fami- 

 liar, and often proves troublesome to those who 

 caress it, as may be imagined would be the case 

 with a pet hog under similar circumstances. The 

 adult Tapir measures from 5 to 6 feet in length, and 

 between three and four in height ; its colour is uniform 

 deep blackish brown; the young are longitudinally 

 marked with spots and six or eight bands of fawn- 

 colour along the body, and with numerous spots of 

 the same tint on the cheeks. (See Fig. 400.) 



396, 397.— The Malay or Ikdjan Tapir 

 (Tajnnis Indicits, Farquhar). This species was first 

 introduced to science by Major Farquhar in 1816. 

 It is a native of Sumatra and the Malay Penin- 

 sula, where it is called tannoh ovtennu; and is as 

 well known in Malacca as the elephant or rhino- 

 ceros. In disposition it resembles its American 

 relative. It feeds on vegetables, and is very partial 

 to the sugar-cane. Though the natives have not 

 domesticated it, this species is as easily tamed as 

 the Tapir of Amedca, and becomes as gentle and 

 familiar. Major Farquhar possessed one which was 

 completely domesticated, and as much at home as 

 any of the dogs : it fed indiscriminately on all kinds 

 of vegetables, and was very fond of attending at 

 table to receive bread, cakes, and the like. This 

 Tapir was procured in the Malay Peninsula. (See 

 ' Trans. Asiat. Soc.,' vol. xv., 1820.) A Sumatran 

 tapir was about the same time presented alive to 

 the Asiatic Society by G. J. Siddons, Esq., resident 

 at Bencoolen. It was of a lazy habit, very familiar, 

 and delighted in being rubbed or scratched ; and this 

 favour it solicited from the people about him, by 

 throwing itself down on its side, and making sundry 

 movements. It is distinctly stated of (his Sumatran 

 specimen, that another of its great delights was to 

 bathe, — also "lhat it remained a very considerable 

 time under water." The living specimen, says Sir 

 S. Raffles, sent from Bencoolen to Bengal, " was al- 

 lowed to roam occasionally in the park at, Barrack- 

 pore. The man who had the charge of it informed 

 me that it frequently entered the pond, and appeared 

 to walk along the bottom under the water, and not 

 make any attempt to swim." This characteristic 

 habit of the animal was not observed by Major Far- 

 quhar in his Malacca specimen. That gentleman 

 says, indeed, that he thought he might venture to 

 affirm that the Malacca tapir is not, like the Ame- 

 rican species, amphibious in its nature. He adds, 

 that the one he reared showed rather an antipathy 

 to water, and that in the peninsula of Malacca these 

 animals are found to frequent high grounds. As, 

 however, it is admitted on all sides that the Malacca 

 and the Sumatran tapirs are the same, and as these 

 creatures differ in no material points of conformation 

 from the American tapir, it is not easy to imagine 

 that, while the American animal and that from Su- 

 matra are so aquatic in their habits, the animal from 

 Malacca should exhibit contrary propensities. In 

 Sumatra the tapir inhabits the dense forests of the 

 interior, and is, therefore, seldom seen : hence it has 

 been considered rare in that island : it must, how- 

 ever, be observed, that after the loss of the ship Fame 

 by fire, when a living Sumatran tapir with other 

 animals perished, Sir S. Raffles, during the short 

 period of his stay in Sumatra, was enabled to procure 

 other specimens, one of which is in the museum of 

 the Zoological Society, and another in the museum 

 of the East India Company. 



The Indian tapir exceeds the American in size : it 

 has no mane, and the snout is longer and more pro- 

 boscis-like. The most striking external difference 

 between the eastern and western animal, however, 

 is in colour. Instead of being of the uniform dusky- 

 bay tint of the American, the Indian tapir is strangely 

 parti-coloured. The head, neck, fore-limbs, and fore- 

 quarters are quite black : the body then becomes 

 suddenly white or greyish-white, and so continues to 

 about half way over the hind-quarters, when the 

 black again commences abruptly, and is spread over 

 the legs. The abruptness and contrast of the mark- 

 ing of this animal makes it look precisely as if it 

 were covered round the body with a white horse- 

 cloth, leaving the fore and hind-quarteis exposed. 

 The young, until the age of four months, are black, 

 beautifully marked with spots and stripes of fawn 

 colour above, and white below. 



According to Sir S. Raffles, the Indian tapir re- 

 ceives various names in different districts. By the 

 people of Limun it is called Saladang : in the inte- 

 rior of Manna. Gindol ; at Bencoolen, Babi Ala; and 

 at Malacca, Tennu. Marsden states that it is de- 

 nominated by the Malays in many districts Kuda- 

 ayer, or river-horse. Though the flesh of the Indian 

 Tapir, like that of the American, is dry and disagree- 

 able, and therefore of little value as an article of 

 food, still the animal might be domesticated with 

 advantage (and the same observation applies to the 

 western species), and employed as a beast, of draught 

 or burden, its docility" and great strength being 

 strong recommendations. Its skin would prove, 

 from its toughness, useful for various purposes. 



