Z REMINISCENCES OF PIG-STICKING. 



about them ; they are also smaller or more stunted, 

 though the heads in most cases are very large and seem 

 to be out of all proportion to the body. 



Some huge boars are said to have been often seen 

 and shot in the virgin forests west of Ranchi and Lohar- 

 dugga. , Pig-sticking is out of question in those parts, 

 first from the nature of the ground which is cracked 

 •and:fissnied in all directions, and also from the number- 

 less small bunds put up by the cultivators wherever 

 there is open ground for retaining rain-water in their 

 fields. 



The inland boar, specially those of the district of 

 Murshedabad, with whom my acquaintance has been 

 most intimate, will be the main subject of My Reminis- 

 cences, and hence it is necessary I should give some 

 description of its habits and ways. 



Though the chore boars are his superiors in general, 

 there are exceptions ; and some of the Murshedabad boars 

 will hold their own against any boar that ever breathed. 

 Pigs are by nature gregarious, and live in herds or 

 sounders of from twenty to thirty on apparently very 

 friendly terms. An old big boar being, as a rule, the 

 of the head family, he does not mind other smaller boars, 

 but would resent another competitor of his own age and 

 size coming into the family circle. 



Force of circumstances make them often lead a soli- 

 tary life, and those are, as a rule, the more fearless and 

 also better fighters. Pigs are found in all sorts of places 

 and cover, provided there is water conveniently near. 



