TAR 
tutes a genus of the order of zoophytej, in the | 
clais of worms: the charaflers of which are; that 
the body is jointed in form of a fimple chain ; and 
that each joint has it's appropriate mouth, vif- 
^ cera, and other parts. This genus includes four 
fpecies. 
TAPECON. An appellation by which feme 
authors exprefs the fifh more generally denomi- 
nated the uranofcopus, or ftar-gazer. 
TAPERA. A word, according to fome or- 
nithologifts, fignifying a fpecies of fwallow. 
TAPETI. An American animal, fometimes 
denominated cuniculus Americanus, or the Ame- 
rican rabbit. In the Linnri;an fyftem, it is a fpe- 
cies of hare, the lepus Brazilienfis, It has large 
ears, like the common hare; a white ring round 
the neck, though not always; the face is of a red- 
difh colour; the chin is white; the eyes are black; 
the colour of the body refembles that of the com- 
mon hare, except that it is fomewhat darker; and 
it has no tail. 
Thefe animals inhabit the Woods of Brazil, but 
never burrow; are very prolific; and t!!^ir flefh is 
highly efteemed. They are alfo found in Mexi- 
co, where they obtain the name of citli. 
TAPIIR ; the Hippopotamus Terreftris of 
Llnnfciis. This animal is about the fize of a 
young calf; and in fbiape fomewhat refembles the 
hog, with an arched back. The head, which is 
thicker than that of the hog, terminates in a fliarp 
ridge at the top. The male has a fnout, or fort 
of probofcis, hanging over the opening of the 
mouth; in which there is a very ftrong mufcle, 
that ferves to retract it at pleafure. The nofe of 
the female is deftitute of a probofcis ; and the jaws 
are of equal lengths. There are ten dentes inci- 
fores in each jaw; from the end of thefe the jaw 
feems toothlefs for a fmall fpace; and the grind- 
ers, which are large, are arranged five on each 
fide. The eyes are fmall, like thofe of a hog; 
and the ears, which are roundifh, bordered with 
white, the creature can draw forward at pleafure. 
The legs are thick and fhort; the fore hoofs are 
divided into three portions, and a fort of falfe 
hoof behind; but the hind have only tv/o divi- 
fions. The hair is Ihort, and of a pale brown co- 
lour variegated with white fpots, when the animal 
is young; and along the neck there is a brillly 
mane, an inch and a half high. 
The Tapiir inhabits the thick woods fituated 
On the eaftern fide of South America, from the 
Ifthmus of Darien to the River of the Amazons; 
fleeping ail day, and roving abroad in the morn- 
ings and evenings in queft of food. It fubfifts 
on vegetables; and is particularly fond of the 
ftalks of the fugar-cane. It often takes the water, 
fwimming with the utmofi: facility. The natives 
eat it's flefli; and the Indians fhoot it with poi- 
foned arrows, and cut it's fkin into bucklers. 
The Tapiir is falacious,-flow-footed, and flug- 
gifh ; and makes a kind of hiffing noife. In Gui- 
ana it is fometimes domefticated, and fed Vv'ith 
other animals in the farm-yard. Though gene- 
rally accounted mild in it's difpofition, Gumilla 
aflerts, that it makes a vigorous refiftance when 
attacked; and feldom fails to tear ofi^ the fkins of 
fuch dogs whom it happens to feize. 
TARABE. A Brazilian fpecies of parrot, 
confiderably larger than the common green par- 
rot. It is generally of a vivid green colour; but 
the head, bread, and origin of the wings, are red; 
and the beak and legs are dufky grey. 
TAR 
TARAGUICO AYCURABA. ABnizilian 
appellation for a fpecies of lizard common in that 
country. T!ie tail is covered from it's becinni.np- 
with fmall triangular fcalcs, and very regulariv 
marked with four brown fpots ; the back aifo, 
particularly that part next the head, is variegated 
with undulated brown lines. 
TARAGUIRA. An Amierican lizard, about 
one foot in length, of a rounded body, and every 
where covered with fmall triangular dufl<;y greF 
fcales. It's back is fmooth; and it is furnillied 
with a falfe gullet under the throat. 
This animal is very common about houfes and 
gardens in South America. It runs very fwiftij', 
but with a waddling motion; and when it per- 
ceives any ob)e<fl at a diftance, has a peculiar way 
of fhaking it's head. 
TARANDUS. An appellation by which 
Agricola, and fome other naturalifts, exprefs the 
rein-deer. 
TARANIOLO. A name given by fome or- 
nithologifts to the whimbrel, or fmall curlew; the 
arquata minor of authors. 
TARANTULA; the Aranea Tarantula of 
Linnseus. A fpecies of venomous fpidcr; fo 
called from Tarentum in Apulia, where it is 
chiefly found. 
The Tarantula is met with in all parts of Apu- 
lia; but particularly in uncultivated fituatlons, 
and dry funny hills which have a fouthcrn afpcd:. 
It is faid to be entirely confined to this country; 
but is probably an inhabitant of many others, 
though it's poifon may be more injurious there 
than in colder latitudes. 
Geofiroy is of opinion that the Tarantula never 
proves venomous except in the coupling feafon; 
and Baglivi affirms that it is never fo but during 
the heat of fummer, particularly in the Dog-days, 
when becoming enraged, it flies at all that pafs 
by. 
The Tarantula being of a very tender frame, 
and eafily injured by cold, winds, and rain, it al- 
ways digs a cave in the fide of fome hill for it's ha- 
bitation; and for that purpofe ufually makes choice 
of the hardeft ground it can find, which is better 
able to defend it, and which it eafily perforates 
with it's forceps and claws. Sometimes it bur- 
rows itfelf a cave in a valley or plain ; but in that 
cafe it always chufes a dry, and com.monly a 
chalky foiL When found in fuch fituations, the 
entrance into it's cave is fmall, and within are fe- 
veral winding pafiTages: and if it happens to be 
furprifed with wet, it then C[uits the floor of it's 
cell, and fufpends itfelf by it's feet from toe roof. 
The Tarantula preys on a number of fmall in- 
fers, with which Apulia abounds; and feldorn 
appears in the day time, but creeps abroad abouE 
fun-fetting in quefb of carnage and depredation. 
Should it at any time rem.ain the whole evening 
in it's cave, it is only on purpofe to pradife a dif- 
ferent miCthod of hunting it's prey : in this cafe ir 
comes forward to the inouth of it's hole, v^here it 
lies in wait ; it's fore-iegs being placed at the ex- 
tremity of it's ceil, and it's eves having a dillincr 
viev/ of every thing around it. .The unwary ob- 
jects of it's prey are feized as they pafs, and con- 
veyed into it's den; where the tyrant, having 
feafted on fuch portions as he prefers, conceals 
the wings and fragmiCnts to prevent fufpicion, and 
refumes his for-mer watclubl pofhurc. 
The Apulian pcafants praftife a particular kind 
of artifice to allure the Tarantula from it's den 
durino- 
