334 VERTEBRATE AICIMALS. 



shaped edge (fig. 239), and these are the principal weapons by which 

 the animal defends itself. 



The Pigs, Peccaries, and Wart-hogs constitute the family Suida, 

 and have usually four toes to each foot, though sometimes the hind- 

 feet have only three toes. AH the toes are hoofed, but it is only 

 two which support the weight of the body, the remaining toe or 

 toes being placed at some elevation on the back of the foot (fig. 237, 



Fig, 239.— Skull of Hippopotamus aTnpMbius, side-view. 



C). The snout is truncated and cylindrical, and is capable of ex- 

 tensive movement. The tail is very short, or is represented only by 

 a tubercle. The molar and prsemolar teeth have tuberculated 

 crowns (fig. 240), and the Pigs are very miscellaneous feeders. 



I )f the iSwine the most important a]id best known is the Wild 

 Boar (Siis scrufn), from which most of our domestic varieties of 

 Swine have sprung. Another form is the Babyroussa (Stis babi/- 



Fig. 240. — Grinding surface of the molar and premolar teeth of a Peccary 

 {Dicotyles labiatus). (After Giebel.) 



ri.isa), which inhabits the Indian Archipelago, and is remarkable 

 for the great size and backwaid curvature of the upper canine teeth. 

 The Wart-hogs (Phacochcerus) are African, and derive their name 

 from the possession of a fleshy wart under each eye. The Peccaries 

 are exclusively American, the best-known species being the Collared 

 Peccary (Dicotj/les turquatus). They are not at all unlike small pigs 

 both in appearance and habits, but they present various striking 



