THE PIG FAMILY. 



71 



there are a few small blunt rudimentary 

 premolars, which gradually get squeezed out 

 by this huge molar, or, so to speak, become 

 included in it. Thus in the skull of a wart- 

 hog which I now have before my eyes, there 

 are three premolars above and below on the 

 right side and only two on the left, where the 



large molar has undergone an elongation 

 which enables it to replace both in form and 

 size the absent premolar. The large molar 

 is at least six times as long as it is broad, 

 and its chewing surface, which is always 

 getting worn away while in use, consists of 

 a double series of oval tubercles surrounded 



Fig. 155. — The Babirussa (I'orcKS babirmsa). 



by enamel, eight to nine in each row, between 

 which a number of smaller tubercles similarly 

 isolated are arranged like squares on a chess- 

 board. These large molars, it will be seen, 

 are very similar in structure to those of the 

 elephants. 



The wart-hogs live in troops in marshy 

 regions, and have a certain reputation for 

 savageness and untamableness. The natives 

 of the Cape dread them more than they do the 

 lion. The wart-hogs are fond of hiding in 

 the holes of other digging animals, and some- 

 times they dig pits for themselves. Speci- 

 mens are now often to be seen in zoological 

 gardens. They are not very sociable, and 

 show no interest in anything, but are rather 

 fond of having their unshapely head scratched. 



Nevertheless one must constantly be on one's 

 guard against them. The first specimen 

 brought to Europe killed its keeper in a 

 moment of fury. 



The Babirussa [Porctis babirussa {Babirussa 

 al/tirus)), fig. 155, is a not less remarkable 

 type found on the island of Celebes and some 

 of the neighbouring islands, such as the 

 island of Bouro. It attains almost the size 

 of an ass, having rather long slim legs. The 

 hide, of a dirty grayish-black colour, forms 

 numerous folds, and is set with only a few 

 stiff brisdes. The tail is short, pendent, 

 straight, without a terminal tuft; the back is 

 arched. The relatively small head, with 

 longish pointed proboscis, carries paper- 

 cornet- shaped ears and small eyes. The 



