H©0 TRIBE* 
365 
He is capable of domestication. In Guiana, the 
tapir is sometimes introduced into the farm yard. 
When gently treated, he, like other naturally radd 
animals, contracts great familiarity with man, 
distinguishes his master, discovers affection to the 
hand that feeds him, and will slip his nose into 
the pockets of people who approach hiia^ in search 
of food. 
The thickness, and the close texture of his skin, 
render it an article of considerable value. His 
flesh is eaten by the native Americans, but not a 
very delicate species of food. The legs, if roasted 
for four and twenty hours, become, it is said, not 
disagreable even to the palate of an European. 
The Indians use the skin chiefly for bucklers. 
HOG TRIBE. ' 
The manners of these animals are in general 
filthy and disgusting. They are fond of wallowing 
in the mire, and feed almost indifferently on animal 
and vegetable food, devouring even the most cor- 
rupted carcases. With their strong tendinous 
snout they dig up the earth in search of roots 
and other aliment hidden under the surface. 
They are exceedingly prolific. — The male is 
named the boar, the female sow, and the young 
ones are called pigs. 
In the upper jaw there are four front teeth, the 
points of which converge : and, usually, six in the 
lower jaw, which project. The canine teeth, or 
tusks, are two in each jaw ; those above short, 
while, these below are long, and extend out of the 
