urusi 



THE BOSCH VARK. 259 



the upper lip, and curls boldly over the face. The 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 reach nearly to 

 the skin of the forehead. The 

 female is devoid of these curi- 

 ous appendages. 



The skin of the Babyroussa 

 is rather smooth, being sparsely 

 covered with short bristly hairs. 

 The object of the upper tusks 

 is at present unknown, al- 

 though certain old writers as- 

 serted that the animal was ac- 

 customed to suspend himself to ^""^ Babyroussa {Babirussa Alf. 

 branches by means of the appendage. The Babyroussa lives in herds 

 of considerable size, and is found inhabiting the marshy parts of its 

 native land. 



* The Bosch Vark, or Bush Hog, of Southern Africa, is a very for- 

 midable animal in aspect, as well as in character, the heavy, lowering 

 look, the projecting tusks, and the callous protuberance on the cheek 

 giving it a ferocious expression which is no way belied by the savage 

 and sullen temper of the animal. The Bosch Vark inhabits the forests, 

 and is generally found lying in excavations or hollows in the ground, 

 from which it is apt to rush if suddenly disturbed, and to work dire 

 vengeance upon its foe. In color it is extremely variable, some species 

 being of a uniform dark brown, others of a brown variegated with white, 

 while others are tinged with bright chestnut. The young is richly mot- 

 tled with yellow and brown. For the following account of the habits 

 of the Bosch Vark I am indebted to Colonel Drayson's MS. : 



" Where the locality is sufficiently retired and wooded to afford shel- 

 ter to the bush bucks which I have mentioned, we may generally ex- 

 pect to find traces of the Bush Pig. His spoor is like the letter M 

 without the horizontal marks, the extremities of the toes forming two 

 separate points, which is not the case with the Antelopes, at least very 

 rarely so, the general impression of their feet being like the letter A 

 with a division down the centre, thus /|\. 



" The Bush Pig is about two feet six inches in height and five feet in 

 length ; his canine teeth are very large and strong, those in the upper 

 jaw projecting horizontally ; those in the lower, upward. He is cov- 

 ered with long bristles, and, taking him all in all, he is about as formi- 

 dable-looking an animal, for his size, as can be seen. 



