Book VII. SWINE. 1015 



all the temperate parts of Europe and Asia ; but it is not met with in the most northern 

 parts of these continents. It is found in many parts of Africa. Mr. Pennant asserts, 

 that the wild boar was fonnerly a native of this country, and hunted from the middle 

 of November to the beginning of December; and it is asserted by Fitz- Stephens, 

 that the vast forest which in his time grew on the north side of London, was the retreat 

 of stags, wild-boars, and bulls. 



6531. The wild-boar (Jig, 683.) in- ^r^^5^^:k^ ^SS 



habits woods, living on various kinds 

 of vegetables, such as roots, masts, 

 acorns, &c. It also occasionally de- 

 vours animal food : it is in general 

 considerably smaller than the domestic 

 hog, and is of a dark brindly-grey 

 color, sometimes blackish ; but when 

 only a year or two old, it is of a pale 

 red or dull yellowish-brown cast ; and when quite young, it is marked with alt^tnate 

 dusky and pale stripes, disposed longitudinally on each side the body. Between the 

 bristles, next the skin, is a finer or softer ^air, of a woolly or curling nature. The 

 snout is somewhat longer in proportion than that of the domestic animal j but the prin- 

 cipal difference is in the superior length and size of the tusks, which are often several 

 inches long, and capable of inflicting the most severe and fatal wounds. The hunting 

 of the wild boar forms one of the principal amusements of the great in some parts of 

 Germany, Poland, &c. and is a chase of some difficulty and danger, not on account of 

 the swiftness, but the ferocity of the animal. Wild boars, according to Buffon, which 

 liave not passed the third year, are called by the hunters beasts of company, because 

 previous to that age they do not separate, but follow their common parent. They never 

 wander alone till they have acquired sufficient strength to resist the attacks of the wolf. 

 These animals, when they have young, form themselves into flocks, and it is upon this 

 alone that their safety depends. When attacked, the largest and strongest front the 

 enemy, and by pressing all round against the weaker, force them into the centre. 

 Tamed bears have affi^rded subjects of barbarous sport in most parts of Europe, from 

 the earliest period, and though bear baiting is happily no longer in vogue in Britain, 

 as it still is in Spain ; yet the animal is taught various ludicrous movements, which are 

 exhibited to the country people, by itinerant showmen. When real beeirs cannot be got, 

 boys are metamorphosed and taught to imitate them. {Jig. 684.) 



6532. Of the tame hog, white is the most general color ; but other colors are often intermixed in 

 various proportions. In some respects, the hog seems to form an intermediate link between the whole 

 and the cloven-footed animals ; in others, he seems to occupy the same rank between the cloven-footed 

 and digitated. Destitute of horns ; furnished with teeth in both jaws ; with only one stomach ; incapa- 

 ble of ruminating ; and producing at one birth a numerous progeny : the union of these faculties confers 

 on the hog a remarkable peculiarity of character. He does not, like other animals, shed his fore-teeth, 

 and put forth a second set, but retains his first set through life. 



6533. Hogs'seem to enjoy none qf t/ie powers qf sensation in eminent perfection. They are said to hear 

 distant sounds ; and the wild boar distinguishes the scent of the hunter and his dogs, long before they 

 can approach him. But so imperfect is tneir feeling, that they suffer mice to burrow in the fat of their 

 backs without discovering any uneasiness, or apjwjaring even to notice it. In their taste they show a sin- 

 gular degree of cai)rice. In the choice of herbs they are more delicate than any other herbiferous 

 animal, yet devour the most nauseous and putrid carrion with more voracity than any beast of prey. At 

 times they do not scruple to eat their own young ; they will even mangle infants out of desperate 

 voracity, 



6534. Hogs are remarkable for the smallncss of their epes : hence a person whose eyes are very dimmu- 

 tive, and deep sunk in his head, is said to be pig-eyed. The form of the hog is inelegant, and his carriage 

 is equally mean as his manners. His unwieldly shape renders him no less incapable of swiftness and 

 sprightliness, than he is of gracefulness of motion. His appearance is always drowsy and stupid. He 

 delights to bask in the sun, and to wallow in the mire. An ap^iroaching storm seems to affect his feelings 

 in a very singular manner. On such an occasion, he runs about in a frantic state, and utters loud shrieks 

 of horror. Hogs are infested with lice, and are subject to many disorders, such as the scurvy, scab, and 

 scrofula. The sow brings forth in the beginning of the fifth month after conception, and she has often 

 two litters in a year. She generally produces a numerous progeny at a birth ; but her first litter Jf 'f** 

 numerous than those that follow. Hogs, when suffered to sec the natural term of life, live from fifteen 

 to thirty years. Their size and strength continue to improve till they are five or six years old. , 



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