458 UNGULATES. 
belong to the existing genus, tapirs may be regarded as among the oldest of living 
Mammals. It was considered by Mr. Wallace that the Old World was the original 
home of the group, from whence they migrated to North America; but subsequent 
discoveries have rendered this doubtful. Probably, however, they are but com¬ 
paratively recent immigrants into Central and South America. And it is interesting 
to notice, as Mr. Wallace observes, that while in the Old World, where they were 
once so abundant, they have dwindled down to a single species, existing in small 
numbers in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo only, in the western 
THE MALAYAN TAPIR ( T \ nat. size). 
continent they occupy a much larger area, and are represented by several distinct 
species. With regard to the probable ancestors of the tapirs, we shall have some 
remarks to make at the conclusion of this chapter. 
Save for the circumstance that the Malayan species differs from all the rest in 
coloration, the various kinds of tapirs are remarkably alike, both in respect of 
bodily form and habits. Whereas, however, four of the species are found at or near 
the sea-level, the fifth inhabits comparatively high elevations in the Cordilleras. 
Habitg Speaking of tapirs in general, Sir W. H. Flower remarks that 
“ they are solitary, nocturnal, shy, and inoffensive, chiefly frequenting 
