426 RECORDS OF BIG GAME 



BABIBUSA (Babirusa alfurus). 



The pig-deer (to translate its Malay name) is not the least 

 notable of several remarkable animals restricted to Celebes ; the 

 peculiar form and position of the upper tusks of the boars rendering 

 them almost comparable to horns. Unlike other pigs, in which they 

 curve upwards from the sides of the lips, the tusks grow from the centre 

 of the muzzle, piercing through the skin, and as they are not worn by 

 the lower pair, attain extraordinary dimensions. Both pairs are quite 

 devoid of enamel ; the lower ones growing from the sides of the jaw in 

 the ordinary manner. The other teeth are somewhat less numerous 

 than in ordinary pigs. In other parts of its organisation the babirusa 

 is, however, very like the latter, although its nearly naked skin is 

 remarkable for its coarse and rugged nature, being almost comparable 

 to the bark of a tree. The height at the middle of the back, the 

 highest point of the animal, is about 42 inches. Unlike the rest of 

 its tribe, the female babirusa produces only a pair of young at a birth, 

 which are of the same uniformly slaty hue as their parent. Babirusa 

 are confined to the island of Celebes, where they afford good sport to 

 the natives, who drive them into nets and then spear them. 



Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard recorded in the Cruise of the " Marchesa " : 



Weight, male, 128 lbs.; female, 85 lbs. 

 Height at shoulder, 27^ in. ; female, 25^^ in. 



