the southern part of the
continent.

The other species of American tapir differs considerably in the nature
of its haunts and habits. In these it is said more to resemble the
tapir of Sumatra. The latter is found dwelling at a great elevation, in
fact, on the tops of the highest mountains of that island; whereas the
Danta, or American tapir, is altogether confined to the low hot plains.
In the same district of country, and even in the same rivers--but
further up among the mountains--the smaller species of American tapir is
met with, but never upon the low level of the plains.

When we consider that for more than three centuries, in a country
inhabited by a civilised people, this new species of American tapir has
remained not only undescribed but even unknown to the scientific world,
we may fairly conjecture that other species of this, as well as of many
other animals, may yet be brought to light to gratify the lover of
nature, and add to his store of pleasant knowledge.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

GIRAFFES, CAMELS, AND LLAMAS.

Strictly speaking, the Giraffes cannot be considered as belonging to the
same family with the Camels, nor yet the Camels be classed with the
Llamas; but there is a very great resemblance between these three genera
of animals, and, except for scientific purposes, they form a group
sufficiently natural. Indeed any one of the three is more like to the
other two than to any other kind of mammalia; although some naturalists
prefer considering the giraffe as a species of deer. This
classification, however, rests principally upon an erroneous
supposition--that the oblong protuberances on the head of the giraffe
are horns, which in reality they are not, but mere continuations of the
frontal bone. It would be as absurd, therefore, to call the giraffe a
deer, as to consider it a species of camel, and perhaps more so. It may
be regarded as an animal _sui generis_; but in making a series of
groups--such as we have here attempted--it appears more natural to place
it alongside the camels than elsewhere; and it is certainly as much like
the true camel or dromedary as either the llama or vicuna. One of its
most popular names--that of Camelopard, or Spotted Camel--shows the
resemblance which suggests itself to the eye of the traveller and
ordinary observer; and this resemblance extends also to many characters
that are not external. Indeed, after all that has been said by
anatomical naturalists, we might