Ungtjlata. MAMMALIA. Ungulata. 
cxv 
UN(iULATA. 
Family — TAPIRIDAG. 
Wallace records two genera and six species of the 
Tapir family. For a long time only two species were 
known — the Malayan and the American. Lately sev- 
eral forms liave been discovered in South America ; 
and some authors claim that even four species are 
known to that region. These are all found in the 
Andes of New Granada and Ecuador, at an eleva- 
tion of eight to twelve thousand feet. One species, 
or, as some have it, two, of the allied genus Elas- 
mognathus, has been found in Central America, and 
from Panama to Guatemala. 
The term Tapir is from the Latin, Tapirxts, which 
is a modified form of the original Brazilian. 'L’hese 
animals closely resemble the Swine in form, yet are 
not so nearly allied to tliehi as is usually supposed. 
They are Ungulates of the Perissodactyle group, and 
are closely related to the Rhinoceroses and Horses. 
They are characterized by having the hind-quarters 
project conspicuously backwards. The snout is pro- 
duced into a flexible rudimentary proboscis. The 
ears are erect, and developed moderately. The neck 
is short, and the tail also. There are four toes on 
the fore-feet, and three on the posterior. 'I’lie dental 
formula is : Incisors J ; Canines, \ ; Premolars, f ; 
Molars, f. 
'I'apirus. 
The 'I’apirs, and another form found in India — the 
Rhinochcerus — have the margins of the upper jaw 
rolled inward. “'I'he Elasmognathi have them 
spread out so as to firmly embrace the ineseth- 
moid.” They are all inhabitants of wet lands, where 
water is abundant. 
The Tapir does not take water through the snout, 
but raises that organ as it drinks by the month. 
One young only is born in a season, from one indi- 
vidual. 'J'he Tapir seems to be quite easily domesti- 
cated. Cuvier gives some details of the tame animal. 
He says it was gentle and confiding, and appeared to 
have no will of its own. It seemed to seek the com- 
pany of other animals in an unusual degree. 
THE COMMON AMERICAN TAPIR [Tapirus ter- 
restris ) — Plate 25, fig. 82. — This species is found in 
all parts of South America, from the Straits of Ma- 
gellan to the Isthmus of Darien.- It is regarded as 
the largest of South American mammals, measuring 
sometimes six feet from the nose to tail. It is noc- 
turnal in habit, and selects one mate only. This is 
the 'I', americanus of former authors. 
Tapirus pmchaque is a species confined to the 
Andes of South America, especially in Ecuador and 
New Granada, 'filiis is the T. villosus, or Roulins’ 
'I’apir, of authors. Its habitat is quite circumscribed, 
as we have seen. Gray gives it as “The Cordilleras.” 
Elasmognathus. 
Gray, in Brit.Mus. (7«t.,I869, gives the characters 
of this genus as follows : “The internasal cartilage 
ossified nearly the whole length, the bony part pro- 
duced beyond the end of the nasal.” 
BAIRD’S TAPIR [Elasmognathus hairdii) — -Plate 
IL, fi g. viii. — 'I’he specific characters of this species 
are a very short fur, close, and dark brown in color, 
or nearly black. 'I’he lower parts of the cheeks and 
sides of the neck, bay-brown ; chin, throat, chest, and 
front edge of the shoulders, grayish-white. 
'I’he figure of Baird’s Tapir referred to is that of a 
young one, which shows the peculiar stripes that 
accompany the young. It is said that this species is 
easily distinguished from others by its white chest, 
and bay cheek. 'I’his is the only species of the 
genus known. It is native of the Isthmus of Pan- 
ama, and extends northward into Mexico. 
Another form, which is regarded as somewhat 
doubtful as a true species, is the E. dowii. 'I’lie E. 
bairdii is thought to be the largest of American 
species. 
'I’apirs were largely represented in Eocene times- 
in both countries; and they are allied to the extinct 
family of Lophiodontidm. 
Rhinocerotid-E is the family which Wallace places 
here to follow the 'I’apirs. 'I’he Rhinoceros is the 
only living genus represented, with nine species. As 
we have seen, there are numerous extinct forms in 
both continents — the hornless Acerotherium, and the 
Leptodon,and the curious Hyracodon of our Western 
deposits, the Miocene of Nebraska. More than twenty 
species of extinct Rhinoceroses are known. 
Hippopotamid^ are represented by one genus and 
two species. Eight distinct species are known, but 
none in this country. 
Family— SUlDiE. 
Wallace records five genera and twenty-two species 
of Swine-like animals; and he adds; “The Swine 
may be divided into three well-marked groups, from 
peculiarities in their dentition. (I) 'I’he Dicotyli- 
ncB, or Peccaries, with one genus ; (2) the true 
Swine, three genera — Sus, Polamochoerus, and Ba- 
birussa ; and (3) the Phacocharinoe, or Wart Hogs.” 
'The Peccaries — two species — are those that claim 
our notice, being indigenous to the American conti- 
nent. 
THE COLLARED PECCARY [Dicotyles torquatus) 
— Fig. 74, vol, 1 , page 190. — 'J’his animal has the gene- 
ral appearance of a Hog. It is peculiar to South 
America and .Mexico. It is a gregarious animal, 
and, in its wild state, is exceedingly fierce and dan- 
gerous. 'I’he Cougar and Jaguar are said to meet a 
very determined antagonist in this little creature. 
Its flesh is somewhat esteemed, though a dorsal 
gland, which secretes a disagreeable fluid, renders 
it a doubtful species of game. 'I’he Mexicans call it 
'1’ajazon. Its habits are similar to common Swine. 
WHITE-LIPPED PECCARY [Dicotyles lahiatus).— 
'Phis species is called by natives 'I’agnioate. It is 
almost double the preceding in size and weight. It 
is highly gregarious, differing in this respect from 
the other ; and, in large troops, they traverse great 
distances. 'I’he White-lipped Peccary is e-xclusively a 
South American animal. 
