OCR Text |
Show 642 MR. R. SWINHOE ON CHINESE MAMMALS. [June 23, anterior surface, and a few blackish hairs behind, the base of the hind part being naked, and no hairs overlapping on its upper edge to form a fringe. From the occiput along the back to beyond its centre runs a ridge of bristles about 3 inches long, for the most part Head of Sus taivanus. Fig. 4. Molar series of Sus taivanus. black, forming a dorsal mane. Moustache-streak scarcely visible; in the advanced stage of the youngling this is white and conspicuous ; but the moustache-streak is no specific character, as many species of Pigs have it more or less. Tail dressed with a few whitish hairs, with long black bristles at its tip. Hoofs brownish black. The Taiwanfoo Gazetteer speaks of a much larger Pig inhabiting the island than the wild species appears to be. But, as in many other animals he speaks of, the Chinese author either brings his notions from China, or spices his history with exaggeration. He says, " the Yay-che (or Wild Pig) has the ears and tail rather small; its hair is bristly and of a brown colour; and it differs somewhat from the domestic Pig. The largest are as big as a cow (meaning, however, a small Chinese Cow) with enormous tusks projecting beyond the lips. It gashes trees and can break them down. Its |