TAPIIR, 
a sort of proboscis, capable of being contra6led 
or extended at pleasure. The sides are sul- 
cated, the extremities of both jaws ending in 
a point. There are ten cutting teeth in each 
jaw, and between them and the grinders there 
is a vacant space. Each jaw has ten grinders. 
The ears, which are oval, and ere6l, are bor- 
dered with white. The eyes are small. The 
body is formed like that of a Hog : the back * 
is arched ; the legs are short ; the hoofs are 
small, black, and hollow ; and the tail is very 
small. The animal grows to the size of a 
Heifer half a year old. The hair is short ; 
and, along the neck, there is a bristly mane 
an inch and a half high. When young, the 
Tapiir is spotted with white ; but, when old, 
it is of a dusky colour. The nose of the Fe- 
male is destitute of the proboscis, and the jaws 
are of equal lengths. It inhabits the woods 
and rivers of the Eastern side of South Ame- 
rica, from the Isthmus of Darien to the River 
of Amazons. It sleeps, during the day, in the 
darkest and thickest forests adjacent to the 
banks ; but goes out, in the night- lime, in 
search of food. It lives on grass, sugar-canes, 
and on fruits. If disturbed^ it takes to the 
water: 
