( 449 ; 



j 







OF SWINE IN GENERAL 



THERE are few tribes of quadrupeds, the animals of 

 which are, on the whole, so filthy in their habits, as 

 the present. They live, for the most part, collected 

 in large droves, in marshes and morasses, wal- 

 lowing with delight in the most putrid mire, and 

 devouring, with avidity, almost any substances 

 which lie in their way. In their general dispo- 

 sition and manners, they are naturally savage and 

 ferocious. Their weapons of offence are enor- 

 mous tusks, with which they strive to gore and rip 

 up the bodies of their enemies. 



The species best known in Europe is the Wild 

 Boar, the parent stock of all our domestic va- 

 rieties. There can be no doubt that the forests 

 of Great Britain once sheltered Wild Boars in great 

 numbers; since they are mentioned, both in the 

 ancient Welsh and English laws, as beasts of chase, 

 which were reserved principally for the amuse- 

 ment of the king. In the reign of William the 

 Conqueror, persons convicted of killing these 

 animals, without royal authority, were punished 

 with the loss of their eyes. King Charles the 

 First turned a number of Wild Boars into the New 

 Forest ; but, during the civil wars, they were all 



H h destoyed; 



