AMERICAN TAPIR. 451 



four toes with pointed hoofs ; the hind into three 

 only : the tail is very short, thickish, and point- 

 ed. The female is said to be destitute of the pro- 

 boscis *. 



In its manners this animal is perfectly harm- 

 less ; endeavouring merely to save itself by flight 

 when pursued, plunging into some river, if at 

 hand, and SMnmming with great readiness, and 

 even continuing for a considerable time under 

 Avater, in the manner of the Hippopotamus. The 

 young is easily tamed, and may be rendered do- 

 mestic, as is said to be the case in some parts of 

 Guiana. In feeding the Tapir makes use of the 

 trunk in the same manner as the Rhinoceros of 

 its upper lip, to grasp the stems of plants, leaves, 

 &c. Its most common attitude, when at rest, is 

 fitting on its rump, in the manner of a dog. 



The Tapir has been occasionally imported alive 

 into Europe. The flesh is considered by the South 

 Americans as a wholesome food, though not very 

 pleasant or delicate, and the skin serves for vari- 

 ous purposes where a strong leather is required : 

 the Indians make shields of it, which are said to be 

 so hard that an arrow cannot pierce them. This 

 animal sleeps much by day in the retired parts of 

 the woods, and is shot by the Indians with poi- 

 soned arrows. Wlien attacked by dogs, it is said 

 to make a very vigorous resistance. Its voice is 



* It is thus described and figured by Mr. Allamand, but Mons, 

 Sonnini, in his edition of BufFon, is inclined to doubt this circum- 

 stance. 



