THE ETHIOPIAN HOG. 243 



Description, manners, &c. 



THE ETHIOPIAN HOG. 



THE general appearance of this animal resem- 

 bles that of the common hog; but it is distin- 

 guished from it by a pair of large semicircular 

 lobes, or wattles, placed beneath the eyes. The 

 snout also is considerably broader, and very 

 strong and callous. It is of a fierce and savage 

 disposition; resides principally in subterraneous 

 recesses, which it digs with its nose and hoofs; 

 and, when attacked or purstied, it rushes on its 

 adversary with great force, striking, like the 

 common boar, with its tusks, which are capable 

 of inflicting the most terrible wounds. 



These quadrupeds inhabit the most unculti- 

 vated and hottest parts of Africa, from Senegal 

 to Congo, and are also found on the island of 

 Madagascar. The natives carefully avoid their 

 retreats ; since, from their savage nature, they 

 often rush upon them unawares, and gore them 

 with their tusks. 



A boar of this species was, in 1765, sent by 

 the governor of the Cape of Good Hope to the 

 Prince of Orange. From confinement and at- 

 tention he became tolerably mild and gentle, ex- 

 cept when offended; in which case even those 

 persons to whose care he was entrusted were 

 afraid of him. In general, however, when the 

 door of his cage was opened, he came out in per- 

 good humour, frisked about in search of 



