614 THE VLACKE VARK. 
the head, the neck, and upper part of the back, and dull brown upon the remainder of the 
body, except upon the abdomen, where it fades into a grayer hue. The tusks of an adult 
male are most terrible weapons, projecting eight or nine inches beyond the lips, and with them 
it has been known to cut a dog nearly in two with a single stroke, or to sever the fleshy parts 
of a man’s thigh. It is a savage and determined opponent, and its charge is greatly to be 
dreaded. When chased, it presents a most absurd appearance, for it is naturally anxious to 
learn how much it has gained upon its pursuers, and is yet unable to look round, on account 
of its short neck and the large excrescence on each side of the face. The animal is therefore 
obliged to lift its snout perpendicularly in the air so as to look over its own shoulder; and as 
it always carries its tail stiff and upright when running, it has a most ludicrous aspect. 
VLACKE VARK.—Phacocherus africanus. 
This animal is not devoid of sagacity, as was proved by Gordon Cumming: ‘‘T selected 
the old boar for my prey, and immediately separated him from his comrades. After ten miles 
of sharp galloping, we commenced ascending a considerable acclivity, where I managed to 
close with him, and succeeded in turning his head towards my camp. He now reduced his 
pace to a trot, and regarded me with a most malicious eye, his mouth a mass of foam. He 
was entirely in my power, as I had only to spring from my horse and bowl him over. I felt 
certain of him, but resolved not to shoot as long as his course lay in the direction of my 
wagon. At length, surprised at the resolute manner in which he held for my camp, I headed 
him ; when, to my astonishment, he did not in the slightest swerve from his course, but trotted 
along behind my horse like a dog following me. This at once aroused my suspicions, and [ 
felt certain that the cunning old fellow was making for some retreat, so I resolved to dis- 
mount and finish him. Just, however, as I had come to this resolution, I suddenly found 
myself in a labyrinth of enormous holes, the haunt of the ant-bear. In front of one of them 
the wild boar pulled up, and charging stern foremost into it, disappeared from my disap- 
pointed eyes, and I saw him no more. I rode home for my men; and returning, we collected 
grass and bushes, and tried to smoke him out, but without success.” 
