THE PIG. 



79 



The consequence is, it is ready for market at almost any 

 period of existence. Whether as the toothsome sucking- 

 pig or as a venerable great-great-grandmother, the pig is, 

 after a period of repose and extra feeding, equally appre- 

 ciated as an article of food. Other animals become tough 

 and lean in old age ; the pig knows its duty to man better 

 than this, and is ready at all times of its life to bring itself 

 into the condition fitted for the knife. In his wild state 

 the boar is swift of 

 foot, clad in a coat 

 of coarse, thick 

 hairs, with bristling 

 spine. His tusks 

 are very formid- 

 able weapons, and 

 he can use his 

 strong forelegs to 

 strike with effect. 

 Even the royal 

 tiger will shun a 

 contest with this 



sturdy warrior, unless absolutely driven to it by hunger. 

 His cousins and relations all share his courage. The 

 peccary of Mexico, small as he is, will when in bands 

 attack the jaguar, or even man, with absolute confidence, 

 and, although many may fall in the assault, will, in either 

 case, almost certainly prove the conqueror in the end; 

 while the wild pigs of Paraguay are equally fierce and 

 formidable, and, having driven a hunter into a tree, will 

 remain round it, and refuse to retreat until scores have 

 fallen by his rifle, or until they are driven away by hunger. 



