THE COMMON HOG. 69 



In observing the disgusting appearance of this animal, its vo- 

 racious appetite, and its dirty manner of feeding and living, it 

 would scarcely be supposed that its flesh could have so excellent 

 a flavour ; and if a man were wholly unacquainted with the na- 

 ture of all quadrupeds, the hog would certainly be one of the 

 last that he would select for his table. 



Under this unpromising exterior, however, Nature has con- 

 cealed one of the most valuable articles of our food. The flesh 

 of this animal is of general use, and of great importance to this 

 country, as a commercial nation. Linnasus says, that it is a 

 wholesome food for those who use much exercise, but pernicious 

 to such as lead a sedentary life. 



The domestic sow brings forth twice a year, ten or twenty at 

 each time, the period of gestation being something more than four 

 months. She is an unnatural mother, and if not carefully watched, 

 will frequently devour her own offspring. After a few days, how- 

 ever, she seems to imbibe a tolerable degree of maternal ten- 

 derness. The boar is equally, or still more, the enemy of the 

 young, and if not prevented, would immediately destroy the whole 

 litter. 



As the hog is one of the most prolific animals of the creation, 

 it is also one of those which are the most extensively diffused. 

 It is found in every latitude, except within the frigid zone, and 

 thrives in every temperate climate ; and it appears somewhat 

 singular, that it is disseminated in most of the sequestered islands 

 of the Pacific Ocean, although it did not exist in America, until 

 transplanted thither by the Spaniards. In many parts of that 

 continent, the hogs have now so exceedingly multiplied, that they 

 run wild in the woods ; but how, or when, they were first intro- 

 duced into the islands of the South Sea, is a problem that will 

 scarcely ever be solved. 



The learned pigs which have frequently been exhibited, might 

 suffice to prove that these animals are not destitute of sagacity; 

 but the following instance, related by the Rev. Mr. Daniel, is too 

 singular to be passed over in silence : A game-keeper of Sir 

 Henry Mildmay, broke a black sow to find game, and actually 

 rendered her as staunch as any pointer. After Sir Henry's death, 

 this animal was sold by auction for a very considerable sum. 



In the island of Minorca, hogs are frequently yoked with asses, 

 or young horses, in ploughing the land; and in some parts ofitaly 

 they are used in hunting for truffles, which grow some inches 

 under the surface of the ground, but which are soon discovered 

 by the acute scent of these creatures. 



