78 MR. G. L. BATES OX THE [Feb. 7, 



is found only in the vicinity of village clearings, and never in the 

 depths of the forest. Hence it is most abundant in parts of the 

 country where there are large and old settlements. Sometimes 

 when it is seen and chased by natives in the grass or thick sweet- 

 potato vines about villages, it becomes entangled and is caught. 

 It is especially fond of eating the growing peanut-tops, and is 

 caught in noose-tvaps set at the edge of peanut-patches. 



The Chevrotain. 



The curious little hoofed animal called " vioii " {Dorcathermm 

 aquaticum) is found only along the banks of streams of consider- 

 able size. The only use I have learned that it makes of the 

 water is as a refuge when pursued. It is said to be unable to 

 run fast like an antelope, and if found far from the water is 

 easily caught by dogs. It is hunted by a company of men with 

 dogs, as is the porcupine. The dogs start it up and the men run 

 along the bank, and either intercept it, or, if it gets into the 

 water, shoot it as it swims or stands with only its muzzle out. 



The " vion " is said to make a rather loud noise, something 

 between the little whistling bellow of antelopes and a loud- grunt. 



Its meat is very white and very tender. 



The Red River-Hog {Poimnochoe.rus porcns). 



In July 1902 several little pigs just born were brought alive 

 to the Mission. They had been found and caught in the forest, 

 in one case four in a litter. In 1903 some were brought in 

 August, Out of several that were brought to the Mission, the 

 only one to survive was " Pet." He early took to human ways, 

 anfl delighted in the company of the little native school-boys. 

 He was fond of sleeping with them, and squealed angrily when 

 shut up in his pen alone at night. 



In his third month he had lost all his stripes, and was coloured 

 like his adult kind. The stripes began to disappear low down on 

 his sides when he was only two or three weeks old ; the last stripe 

 to go was the black one along the middle of the back. 



When "Pet" was three or four months old, a companion was 

 caught for him in the forest. This pig, a female, being about the 

 size of " Pet," must have been born also about July. " Pet " had 

 become so accustomed to human society that he would not own 

 kinship with the new-comer ; though in the same pen with her, 

 he took no more notice of her than of an animal of another kind. 

 She, in turn, did not take kindly to her surroundings, and when 

 let out of the pen made for the " bush," and was not caught 

 again. 



As " Pet " grew large, he began to grunt or " mem," a peculiar 

 emphatic sound of which the domestic pig's grunt is only a faint 

 imitation. " Pet's " grunt expressed lusty strength and self- 

 satisfaction, with the suggestion of a threat to any one who 

 should molest him. As he grew he also developed carnivorous 



