454. 



AMERICAN TAPIR. 



only simple rugx in its interior, and I have al- 

 most constantly found it full of completely di- 

 gested aliment. The intestines are not very large, 

 but are very long, and the scybala resemble those 

 of a horse. " 



This description of the interior parts of the Ta- 

 pir is however declared by the Count de Buffbn 

 to be erroneous in a very important particular,; 

 and as forming an interesting subject of compara- 

 tive anatomy, I shall here give tlie general tenor 

 of his observations. 



" I am obliged," says the Count de Buffon, 

 to contradict a part of this account of Mons. 

 Bajon, and to affirm that the Tapir or IMaipouri 

 is not a ruminant animal. We had lately here a 

 living Tapir which bore its voyage very well, and 

 was stationed near Paris ; but which happened to 

 die not long after. Of this event I had timely 

 notice, and, accompanied by Mons. Mertrud, a 

 very able surgeon, I requested him to open the 

 animal, and examine its interior structure ; an 

 examination for which he was perfectly well qua- 

 lified, having, under the inspection of Mons. 

 Daubenton, dissected most of the animals de- 

 scribed in the course of my work ; and w^ho joins 

 to a perfect knowledge of anatomy, the highest 

 degree of dexterity in his operations. This dis- 

 section was made in my presence, and the results 

 were drawn up by Mons. Daubenton the younger : 

 Mons. de Seve, my draughtsman, was also pre- 

 sent. Instead of three stomachs, as described by 

 Mons. Bajojii, we found only one ; the size of 



