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A beautifully-detailed
old print

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Reducing this image caused a moire pattern, especially in the smaller tapir. Englarge the picture (223 Kb) to see the dramatic detail without the moire. This beautiful engraving was sent to us by Robert A. Wilson. The artist and engraver have done an outstanding job of bringing these tapirs to life. The hand-colored print (image 10 inches wide by 7 inches tall), was probably made in the mid 1800s. It is labelled "The American Tapir.--Tapirus Americanus." The species is now known to us as the lowland tapir, Tapirus terrestris.

This was printed in an era when seeing an exotic and beautiful animal often meant trying to kill it. The text below the title tells us:

This curious creature is chiefly found in South America, and belongs to the pachydermatous tribe, which is so called from the extreme thickness of the skin of the animals which compose it. The hog is of this order. The skin of the Tapir is so thick and tough, that Sonnini, the traveller, says he has frequently fired at one crossing a river with her young, without causing her to turn aside from her direction, although he could see the impression made by the ball on her hide. With this coat of mail, the Tapir can clear for itself a path through the thickest woods, and snap in two a cord strong enough to stop a bull in its course. The most common mode of taking the Tapir, is to attract it by an imitation of its voice, which is like a whistle, and so to bring it close to the huntsman's shot. The American Indians sometimes use poisoned arrows, and occasionally dogs, for securing this prey. The flesh, though coarse and dry, is much esteemed by the natives. Its most common food consists of wild fruits, buds, shoots, and young plants; when pressed by hunger it will eat almost any thing, such as rags, dirt, and even pieces of wood, and small stones. One of them is stated to have gnawed in pieces a silver snuff-box, which was left in its way, and swallowed its contents. The Tapir is about as large as a calf of six months old. Its body is heavy. Its ears are small. The nose and upper lip are extended into a moveable proboscis, at the extremity of which are the nostrils. It is not a mischievous animal, but quiet and good-tempered, unless assailed by huntsmen and their dogs, when it defends itself with great courage. Sonnini speaks of tame ones strolling at liberty through the streets of Cayenne, visiting the neighbouring woods, returning in the evening to the houses where they are fed, and showing attachment to such persons as are kind to them.

Published under the direction of the Committee of General Literature and Education, appointed by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

Price 3/4d. Plain; 2d Coloured.             R. Clay, Printer, Bread Stret [sic] Hill.