BAJ^YROVSSA.—Bab^russa A Ijurus. 



One of the most formidable lookino" of Swine is the Babyroussa of Malacca- 

 This strange creature is notable for the curious manner in which the tusks are 

 arranged, four of these weapons being seen to project above the snout. The tusks 

 of the lower jaw project upward on each side of tlie upper, as is the case with the 

 ordinary boar of Europe, but those of the upper jaw are directed in a ver}'" strange 

 manner. Their sockets, instead of pointing downw\ards, are curved upw^ai'ds, so 

 that the tooth, in following the curvature of the socket, passes through a hole in the 

 upper lip, and cui'ls boldly over the face. Tlie curve, as well as the comparative 

 size of these weapons, is extremely variable, and is seldom precisely the same in 

 any two individuals. The upper tusks do not seem to be employed as offensive 

 weapons ; indeed, in many instances they would be quite useless for such a purpose, 

 as they are so strongly curved that their points nearly reach the skin of the fore- 

 head. The female is devoid of these curious appendages. 



From all accounts, the Babyroussa seems to be a very fierce and dangerous 

 animal, being possessed of great strength, and able to inflict terrible wounds with 

 the tusks of the lower jaw. A naval officer who had experienced several encoun- 

 ters with this creature spoke of it with great respect, and seemed to hold its war- 

 like abilities in some awe. The adult male Babyroussa is considerably larger than 

 the boar of England, and the officer above mentioned told me that he had seen 

 them as large as donkeys. It is a very good swimmer. 



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