64 



SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF MAMMALIA. 



Jess and ferocious. According to Lesson it feeds chiefly 

 upon maize, giving preference to that grain beyond other 

 articles of diet. It is partial to the water, and swims 

 with the greatest ease, often crossing the straits between 

 adjacent islands without any difficulty. Some time since 

 a pair of these animals were living and producer^young in 

 the menagerie of Paris. They were fond of nestling 

 under the straw, and when the male retired to rest the 

 female would cover him over with litter, and then creep 

 under the straw to him, so that both w^ere concealed. 

 The following are notes which we made from a young- 

 male babiroussa living in the gardens of the Zool. Soc. : 

 — This animal is hog-like in its figure, and much resem- 

 bles a small pig of the Chinese breed. It is roundly 



28. — Balnroiissa. 



formed, like a young well-bred hog, and the skin lies 

 close, giving a compactness to its appearance. The 

 head is small, and high between the ears ; the snout is 

 elongated; the oars are very small, erect, and pointed; 

 the eyes in their form and expression resemble those of 

 a stag; the iris is brown ; the skin, which is thinly clothed 

 with short black bristly hairs, is everywhere dotted 

 with small granulations, which spread and become 

 rougher, coarser, and more decided about the limbs and 



