THE TAPIR. 
196 
of the stomach, the tapir was held by natural- 
ists to be a ruminating animal : but on the 
dissection of one which had been brought 
alive to Paris, it was found that the stomach; 
though large and contracted in two places; 
was still a single uniform stomach. The ex- 
treme length of the tapir is about six feet, an^ 
its height five. It commonly sits on its ruHiP 
like a dog, takes the water readily, and swii»^ 
well. 
When caught young, the tapir may h® 
tamed very soon and easily, when it will 
about the house and not seek, even when fw* 
grown, any greater degree of liberty. It 
suffer any one to touch or caress it, withoU* 
manifesting any peculiar partiality. It nev®’- 
bites, but when annoyed merely makes a shafP 
hissing noise, very disproportioned to its six^‘ 
In its domestic state it appears to be 
gluttonous than the hog itself, for it will 
only eat flesh raw or cooked, but also rap 
