24 2 
THE AMERICAN TAPIR. 
indications of lighter spots and horizontal lines 
on the ribs, flanks, and thighs.” 
This animal is frequently hunted by the South 
Americans with dogs, sometimes it is trapped, 
sometimes killed with poisoned arrows by the 
natives, and occasionally it is shot. In all the 
contests, it is with difficulty mastered, for though 
inoffensive, its thick skin withstands the attacks of 
the dogs, and its great strength allows it to handle 
very severely those who are foremost or boldest in 
the attack. It is either surprised from its lair, or 
intercepted at early dawn, on its return from its 
feeding ground ; and when pursued, makes always 
for water, where he can stand on his defence, 
while the dogs are obliged to swim around, and 
are incapable of exerting all their powers. The 
skin is remarkably thick, and is said to resist a 
musket ball. M. Roulin mentions having fired at 
one crossing a stream, and seeing his ball make 
an impression on the back without farther harm. 
This might glance off, but we question if the skin 
of any of these large animals would resist a ball 
directly fired from a properly loaded and efficient 
gun. They are hunted for the skin, which is 
strong, as we have mentioned, and also for the 
flesh which the Indians delight in ; but which is 
said to be coarse and unpalatable to the unaccus- 
tomed stomach of the European. 
The other American species is 
