THE COMMON HOG. 451 



of food. Even the most putrid and corrupted 

 animal substances do not come amiss to them. 

 This voracity proceeds from their great digestive 

 powers, and the unusual size and capacity of their 

 stomachs. We are informed, that in the stomachs 

 of Wild Boars there have been found pieces of 

 the skins of Deer, and the beaks and claws of 

 birds. They are all exceedingly fond of blood; 

 and instances have occurred of their devouring 

 infant children. Whenever they find any thing 

 humid or succulent, they are said first to lick, and 

 then to swallow it. We are told, that it is com- 

 mon for a whole herd of these animals to stop 

 round a heap of newly dug clay; and although it 

 happen to be but very little unctuous or moist, 

 they will all lick it, and some of them will swal- 

 low it in considerable quantity*. Since Swine 

 obtain the chief part of their subsistence by root- 

 ing up the earth, their snout, which is very ten- 

 dinous and strong, is endowed with an extra- 

 ordinarily nice sense of touch, serving the same 

 purposes as the proboscis of the Elephant, in 

 turning over and examining their food. In ord$r 

 that this may be used to the greatest possible 

 advantage, the neck is remarkably stout and mus- 

 cular; and the eyes are situated so high up in 

 the head, as to be in no danger from the sub- 



Ruffon par Sonnini, xxiii. p. 140. 



Hh 2 stances 



