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454 THE COMMON HOG. 



manner above described. Sir Henry was, at length, 

 obliged to part with this Sow,, from a circumstance 

 as singular as the other occurrences of her life. 

 A great number of Lambs had been lost,, nearly 

 as soon as they were dropped, and a person being 

 sent to watch the flock, the animal was detected 

 in the very act of devouring a Lamb. This car- 

 nivorous propensity was ascribed to her having 

 been accustomed to feed with the other Dogs, and 

 to eat the flesh on which they were fed. Sir 

 Henry sent her back to Mrs. Toomer, who sold 

 her to Mr. Sykes, of Brookwood, in the New 

 Forest; where she died the usual death of a Pig, 

 and was converted into bacon. 



As the animals of the present species require, 

 in this climate, shelter from the cold in winter, 

 they are frequently known to collect straw with 

 their mouths, in order to construct a warm bed, 

 when the wind blows keenly ; and to call their 

 companions, by repeated cries, to assist in the 

 work. Notwithstanding their general filthy cha- 

 racter, it is singular, that, where they have liberty, 

 their dens or sleeping places are kept more free 

 from filth than those of most other animals. In 

 the state that we usually see them, Swine are ex- 

 cessively stupid and indolent, and, at first sight, 

 seem destitute either of sagacity or sensibility, 

 Few animals, however, when compelled to exert 

 themselves, have more determined courage, or 

 greater sympathy for those of their own species. 



The 



