THE WARTHOG 221 



wherein they root with their snouts for tubers 

 and other subterranean food, but I have quite as 

 often found them in marshy swamps, apparently 

 equally contented with these damp surroundings, 

 which enable them to take a daily mud-bath, of 

 which " they are passionately fond. As noon 

 approaches, if undisturbed and well fed, they wiU 

 make for some conveniently situated sand-pit, 

 either shaded or unshaded, where they will roll, 

 afterwards resting until the cool of the evening. 

 On several occasions I have come upon large 

 families lying fully extended, or with legs in the 

 air, in the surroundings described, exposed to the 

 full force of the sun's rays. In the late afternoon 

 they seek for food again, and drink shortly before 

 sunset. 



In appearance the warthog, as will be seen 

 from the accompanying illustration, is almost the 

 last word of picturesque ugliness. I do not know 

 what a well-grown boar may weigh, but consider 

 it probable that when cleaned he may turn the 

 scale at 180 lbs. The head, compared ^nth the 

 rest of the body, is enormous, and much of its 

 curious uncouthness is due to the presence of the 

 four large warts to which it owes its name. Of 

 these disfiguring excrescences, the larger ones, 

 placed below the eyes, would almost seem to be 

 designed as a protection for those organs, a pur- 

 pose for which the two remaining warts, placed 

 slightly above the corners of the mouth, would 

 appear to be of Uttle, if any, use. There is hardly 

 anything in the way of hair or bristles, especially 

 on the persons of the boars. Along the dorsal 



