102 
PACHYDERMES. 
The animals composing this group are not so 
conspicuous for their common utility as the 
ruminating animals. They, without doubt, hold 
their place in the balance of creation, lending 
their aid in the consumption of the vegetation of 
the Tropics ; but the Elephants and Pigs are the 
only genera which have been subjected by domes- 
tication to be of direct use to man. Without the 
Elephant, we should be in much difficulty over all 
our eastern possessions ; heavy baggage, or the 
accompaniments to an army, would be ill trans- 
ported without his giant help, while in the more 
luxurious modes of travelling, and in the sports 
of the East, he is indispensable. Pigs are now 
almost universally bred and fattened, yielding an 
immense revenue, and serving to maintain in part 
our navy and large establishments. The Tapirs 
of America, though not hitherto used, are, from 
their mild temper and dispositions, thought 
capable of being trained as beasts of burden, and 
might prove useful from their great strength. 
Thongs, leather, and whips are made from the 
hides of the largest of this family ; and the Cape 
colonist would be badly off indeed, in his rugged 
roads, and unwieldy weighty wagon, could he 
not provide a harness of a substance proportionate 
to the stress to be borne, and he finds it in the skins 
of the Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros, made limber 
and preserved from the sun by their own grease. 
