PECCARY OF MEXICO*. 12$ 



ranges the forest alone and fearless, dreading no sin- 

 gle adversary. He offends no animal whatever, but 

 is at the same time a terror to the fiercest of those that 

 would oiler him any injury. 



The hunting of the wild boar, although exceedingly 

 dangerous, constitutes one of the principal amuse-* 

 ments of the great in those countries where he is to 

 be found. But the dogs used for this sport should be 

 of a slow, strong and heavy kind. 



When the boar is roused, he moves forward at a 

 slow pace, and but little afraid of his pursuers, often 

 turns and waits until the dogs come up, and offers- to 

 attack them : the wary animals, however, fully sensi- 

 ble of the ferocity of the enemy with whom they 

 have to contend, draw back and decline, the engage- 

 ment. The boar then again proceeds slowly, and the 

 dogs renew the pursuit, which is thus continued \vith, 

 many intervals. At last, when the boar begins to be 

 fatigued, the dogs rush in upon him from behind. 

 Many of those which are young and inexperienced, 

 lose their lives iu the attack , 4 but others that are older 

 ami well trained to the sport, hold him at bay until 

 the hunters come up and kill him with their lances 

 and spears, 



In Europe the wild boar is much less common than 

 formerly ; and in a century or two, will probably be 

 extinct : but there exists in the hottest parts of Africa 

 U fierce and formidable race of these animals culled 

 the wood swine, which will attack % man on horse- 

 back if he venture to approach one of them ; aud first 

 breaking the legs of the- horse with his tusks, will 

 quickly destroy both him and hts rider, 



THE PECCARY OF MEXICO 



Is an animal very much resembling the hog 5 bt 

 as they will not breed together., it appears to be a dis- 

 tinct species. 



These animals live chiefly in mountainous places, 

 and feed on fruits and roots: they also eat serpents, 

 Jizards and toads, and are very dexterous in first tak- 

 ing off' the skins with their fore feet and their teeth, 



Th^ whole body of this animal is covered 



