468 



BABYROUSSA. 



ivory : tlie eyes are small ; the ears somewhat 

 erect, and pointed : the tail rather long, slender, 

 and tufted at the end with long hairs. 



The Babyroussa is a gregarious animal, and is 

 found in large herds in many parts of Java, Am- 

 boina, and som^e other Indian islands. Their food 

 is entirely of a vegetable nature, and they often 

 feed on the leaves of trees. When sleeping or 

 resting themselves in a standing posture, they are 

 said often to hook or support themselves by plac- 

 ing the upper tusks across the lowTr branches of the 

 trees. When pursued they will often plunge into 

 a river, or even into the sea, if near, and can 

 swim with great vigour and facility, and to a vast 

 distance. The voice of the Babyroussa is said to 

 resemble that of the common Hog, but it occa- 

 sionally utters also a strong or loud growling note. 

 It is sometimes tamed by the inhabitants of the 

 Indian islands, and the flesh is considered as a 

 Y/holesome food. 



