HUNTING THE WILD BOAR. 



CHAPTER VII. 



HUNTING THE WILD BOAR. 



THE Wild Boar, the original stock, and 

 once very plentiful in the British forests, 

 is more sagacious and cleanly lhan the 

 domesticated animal. He is smaller in 

 body, with a longer snout, and short round 

 ears ; he is likewise more uniform in color, 

 being always of an iron-grey, shading into 

 black: they feed chiefly upon acorns and 

 ether fruit; they also plough up the ground for roots. They aid 

 partly gregarious, and the herds combine for mutual defence ; 

 when attacked, they place the youngest and feeblest in the centre, 

 and forming a semicircle, present a front which few of the largest 

 animals will dare to attack, or if they do, will escape with impunity. 

 The chase of the wild boar is a favorite amusement in those 

 countries where he is found. He is hunted with the small mastiff: 

 when " reared," he betrays little fear; going slowly forward, he 

 stops at intervals, turns round and dares his pursuers, who, it 



