The Tapir inhabits principally the inmost recesses of dense forests, is nocturnal in its habits, and is phytophagous, that is, feeds on vegetables. However, it is said that it is also an indiscriminate swallower of everything, filthy or clean, nutritious or otherwise, pieces of wood, clay, pebbles, and bones being not uncommonly found in its stomach; and it is even stated of one that was kept in confinement that it gnawed a silver snuff-box to pieces and swallowed the contents.
SKULL OF AMERICAN TAPIR.
n, Nasal Bone; m, Maxillary Bone; pm, Pre-maxillary Bone.
The skull of the Tapir, seen in profile, reminds us strongly of that of the Hog, the same pyramidal elevation being brought to view. Examined closely, however, we find that this pyramid differs immediately from that of the latter animal by the possession of only three faces, while in the Pig there are four. In addition, it is also to be noticed that the anterior line is formed by the joining of the lateral faces, dilating into a triangle only towards the front: this being due to the frontal bones, which are early united and directed somewhat backwards. The bones of the nose are articulated to the base of the triangle, and here there is a point which penetrates between them. A deep furrow, produced by the upper border of the orbit, descends from the two sides above the orbit, which, approaching the sub-orbital hole, serves for the insertion of various muscles connected with the proboscis. With regard to the differences between the skull of the Malayan Tapir and the American, Cuvier observes that a glance at the profile of their respective crania is sufficient to impress upon the observer their specific differences. The forehead of the Indian Tapir is convex, and rises higher than the back of the head. It is accompanied, in its rise, by the nasal bones, an arrangement by which space is given for the comparatively large proboscis, and adding length to the furrows where the muscles are inserted. This organisation, according to Cuvier, explains why the Indian Tapir has a more powerful and more extensile trunk than the American. There is also in the former, on the base of the nasal bones, at their junction with the frontal bones and on each side, a deep fossa, or depression, which does not exist in the other species. This elevation of the forehead is accompanied by a depression of the occipital crest, which, far from forming a pyramid, as in the American species, rather descends backwards. The aperture of the bony nostrils, enlarged by the prolongation of the maxillary bones, terminates below and forwards by more elevated premaxillaries, which are fused (anchylosed) together in early youth, as in the American.
HEAD OF MALAYAN TAPIR, SHOWING MUSCLES
OF SHORT TRUNK AND FACE. (After Murie.)
In the upper jaw there are, in the adult Tapir, on each side three incisors, one canine, four premolars, and three molars. In the lower jaw, on each side, there are three incisors, one canine, three premolars, and three molars: altogether making forty-two teeth in number.
Some peculiarities offer themselves with regard to the form of the teeth: for instance, the outer incisors above are very large and resemble canines, while those below are unusually small. The canines themselves are very small, having their crowns considerably shorter than their roots.
