THE GREAT THICK-SKINNED ANIMALS 



IS"; 



of the hairs grayish-white ; and this animal has a gay appearance when 

 seen among its more sombre-looking brethren. 



It is a popular belief that pigs are never injured by the poisons 

 of snakes; and it is customary to turn a drove of these animals into 

 a district infested by such reptiles, which in a short time is usually 

 completely cleared of them. It is well known that pigs will destroy 

 any rattlesnake they meet with, and this serpent is certainly provided 

 with one of the most deadly of poisons, and it is a reptile not at al) 

 likely to submit to an attack from any quarter without using all its 

 powers of defense. It is supposed that the pig receives the bite of the 

 enraged snake on its cheek, where the fat and gristle are the thickest, 

 and that, as there is little or no blood in that part, the poison is not 

 carried through the system, so that the animal experiences no ill-effects 

 from the virus. Whenever a serpent is spied, the pig, with erected 

 bristles, rushes right upon it, and, indifferent to the formidable fangs 

 that are perhaps sticking in its own hide, bites the reptile in pieces and 

 then devours it. 



Boar Hunting was, and still is, a very favorite amusement in 

 many parts of Europe, where these animals are abundant. It is car- 

 ried on with all the bright color and show incident upon gay dresses 

 and prancing steeds, baying hounds and blasts from the merrily-winded 

 horn ; and many are the narrow escapes from the desperate charges of 

 the infuriated wild boar as, when driven to a stand, with the hounds 

 closing around him, he strives to free himself from the ranks of his 

 pursuers. It is a feat of no slight danger at such a time to go up to 

 him and calmly wait to receive him on the point of the short hunting 

 spear. Should the aim be badly taken, or the animal be able to thrust 

 the point of the weapon to one side, the glistening tusks would quickly 

 deal a fatal wound as the object of his hatred was trampled under foot. 

 On the continent of Europe the wild boar disputes the mastery of the 

 forests with the great wolves that prowl amidst their recesses ; and by 

 these snarling, cowardly brutes the flesh of their bristly-coated antago- 

 nist is eagerly coveted. With young porkers the wolves have not 

 much difficulty, and easily dispatch them, provided they find them 

 strayed away from the protection of the grim father of the family, or 

 their but little less savage mother. It is only in the depth of winter, 



