CHAPTER I. 



The Wild Boar. 



The wild boar is undoubtedly the gamest loi all wild creatures, and 

 amongst those who have experienced it, pig sticking is admittedly 

 the finest sport in existence. 



The habitat of the pig, not including the various tropical species, 

 such as the wart-hog, the bush-pig and thie peccary, extends from 

 Spain to Kamschatka, and from Siberia to Ceylon. Naturally in all 

 this tremendous area numerous varieties occur, which: have been made 

 into distinct species by naturalists. Thus there is Siis scrofa of 

 Europe, S. cristata of India, S. arnurcnsis of the Amour, S. nigriyes of 

 Sungaria and S. vioupincnsis of Thibet, — all differing but slightly from 

 one another, yet differing sufficiently to warrant separation according 

 to the present day system of classification. 



In China P^re Heude has described a number of species from 

 various parts, but, as the diagnoses were very unsatisfactory, it has 

 been found impossible to decide exactly how many valid species really 

 occur. 



The North China pigs seem to have somewhat larger tusks than 

 those of the Yang-tze, but do not attain so large a size as the latter. 



Hitherto the record tusk measurements for North China pigs are 

 those of a specimen in the possession of Mr. K. T. McCoy. The best 

 tusk of this magnificent, boar measures 10 inches in length, and 1^ 

 inches in thickness. The body mcasm-ements were not taken, but 

 the native who shot the animal stated that he took 200 catties of flesh 

 from it. A very conservative estimate of the weight of this pig, based 

 upon the above statement would bring its total weight up to 300 catties 

 or 400 lbs. 



Next to this record come the measurements of an old tusker shot 

 by the author. In this specimen the left tusk measures 9| inches m 

 length and 1^ inches in thickness. The weight of this pig was found 

 to be about 330 lbs. 



