59 



THE BARBYROUESSA, OR INDIAN HOG. 



The Barbyrouessa is an animal still farther removed 

 from the hog than the peccary or the capibara, yet most 

 travellers who have described this animal do not scruple 

 to class it under that race. This quadruped is a native 

 of Borneo, a well-known island in the East Indies ; and 

 as its figure bears a stronger resemblance to a hog than 

 that of any other animal, it has universally been at- 

 tached to this race. The body of the barbyrouessa is 

 not so clumsy as that of a hog; the legs are longer, 

 and better formed ; and the hair, instead of being 

 harsh and bristly, is soft in texture, and resembles 

 wool : though the length of the snout is not equal to 

 the hog's, the tusks' are of a much more formidable 

 size : those which extend from the under jaw are a foot 

 in length, and those which issue from the upper are 

 allowed to be half a yard ; these four enormous tusks 

 distinguish the barbyrouessa from every other quad- 

 ruped, and though they give an appearance of ferocity 

 to the animal, it ought doubtless to be classed amongst 

 the harmless race. When pursued by the hounds, it 

 frequently turns upon them, and wounds them mortally 

 with the tusks in its lower jaw ; but when left quiet 

 and unmolested, it is naturally too peaceable to com- 

 mence an attack. The barbyrouessa is hunted the 

 same as the wild boar, though, from being fleeter in 

 its motions, it is not so easily killed ; and when it finds 

 itself closely pressed by the hounds, it always endea- 

 vours to reach the sea, where, from the facility with 

 which it both dives and swims, it is certain of eluding 

 the pursuit of its foes. The flesh of this animal is al- 

 lowed to be good ; and there is little difficulty required 

 in making it tame. The method of securing themselves 



