DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



201 



their wild state they seek moist, sandy, and well-wooded 

 places, close to streams of waiter. Their favorite foods are 

 fruits, grass, and roots ; but when pressed by hunger they 

 will eat snakes, worms, and even higher animals, like birds, 

 fowls, and fish. 



Man captured some of these wild animals, fed them abun- 

 dant and nutritious food, accustomed them to domestic life, 

 selected the best of them to raise from, and in the course 



FIG. 182. A PAIR OF PORKERS 



of generations developed our present breeds of hogs. The 

 main changes brought about in hogs were these : the legs 

 became shorter, the snout and neck likewise shortened, the 

 shoulders and hams increased their power to take on flesh , 

 and the frame was strengthened to carry the added burden 

 of flesh. In addition, the disposition became more quiet 

 and less roving. 



The hog excels all other animals in the cheap pro- 

 duction of meat. When it is properly fed and cared for, 



