THE AMERICAN TAPIR.

Tapirus Americanus - LINN.

Mborebi, Azara.

PLATE XXVIII.

Tapirus Americanus, Linn. also Hippopotamus terrestris― Tapir Americain, Lacepede Tapir d' Amerique, Fred. Cuvier, Hist. Naturelle des Mammif.

THIS animal is the largest quadruped in South America, and is extensively distributed over that continent, extending over almost every part of it east of the Andes, but probably most abundant within the tropics. It reaches from five to six feet in length, is powerfully formed, and is covered with a scanty close lying hair, forming a bristly mane upon the neck. The colour is a deep brown. "The sides of the lower lip, a band occupying the middle of the chin beneath, the upper edges of the ears, and a naked line at the junction of the hoofs, are all purely white."* The young are of a lighter colour, and spotted or striped for the first year at least. That described by Mr Yarrel from the Zoological Society's Menagerie, was "of a rusty reddish brown, with

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 unaccustomed stomach of the European.

The other American species is