THE TAPIRS. 
239 
most of their describers ; inhabiting the thickest 
forests, and issuing only on the approach of twi- 
light to feed, after a day spent in sleep or sluggish 
repose. They feed chiefly on vegetables ; but in 
confinement are by no means nice in their food, 
and will even swallow substances altogether 
extraneous, such as pieces of stick or metal. 
They are very easily tamed, become familiar, and 
know their master, and will follow him, even 
when they are permitted their liberty ; and it has 
been thought that a little care would train them 
to become useful beasts of burden, for which their 
immense strength would well fit them. 
The dentition of the Tapirs is different from 
the other Paehydermes. There are six incisors 
and two canine in either jaw, seven molar teeth 
in the upper, and six in the lower jaw. In 
osteology they approach near to the Rhinoceros 
and the Hogs. The intestinal canal is simple, but 
differs remarkably in the American and Indian 
animals.* 
In the first the stomach is small ; the intestines 
of moderate length, the coecum large. In the 
latter it is the reverse, the stomach is large, the 
intestinal canal very long, the coecum small. The 
dentition of the two animals is similar.j 
The bodies of the Tapirs are covered with 
* Bennet. 
t Yarrel, Zool. Journal. 
