PIGS. 



437 



The peculiar character of the tusks, the reduction in the number of the teeth, 

 and the uniform coloration of the young, indicate that the babirusa is a more 

 specialised creature than the ordinary pigs. At the same time, the simple structure 

 of the molar teeth indicates that it must be directly descended from one of the 

 extinct genera of pigs in which a similar type of dentition obtains. 



The habits of the babirusa seem to be very similar to those of 

 other wild swine ; moist forests, cane-brakes, and the banks of rivers 

 and lakes where abundance of water-plants are to be found, being its favourite 

 resorts. Here these animals collect in larger or smaller herds, sleeping by day and 

 going forth to feed at night. The babirusa is an excellent swimmer, not only 

 entering lakes to feed on water-plants, but likewise traversing small channels of 



Habits. 



the babirdsa (\ nat. size). 



the sea separating one island from another. Its gallop is lighter than that 

 of the wild boar. The senses of smell and hearing are very acute in the babirusa, 

 and its grunt is very similar to that of other swine. The young are born in 

 February, and of very small size, and require great attention on the part of the 

 sow. 



Babirusa are frequently tamed in Celebes, and may be found in the houses of 

 some of the chiefs. The first living examples brought to Europe were a pair 

 exhibited in Paris in the year 1820. 



Much discussion has arisen as to the use of the tusks of the male 

 babirusa. It has been suggested that they may be for the purpose of 

 protecting the eyes when the animal is rushing through dense forest ; but if this 

 were so, as Mr. Wallace points out, how are we to account for the slight develop- 

 ment of these organs in the sows. On the whole, the same observer considers it 

 most probable that the tusks were at one period useful to their owner, and were 



Use of Tusks. 



