44 Q^U ADRUPEDS. 



njEus, eats two hundred and feventy-fix plants, and reje6ls two hundred 

 and eighteen ; the goat eats four hundred and forty-nine, and rejedts an 

 hundred and twenty-fix; the fheep eats three hundred and eighty-feven, 

 and rejedls an hundred and forty-one; the horfe eats two hundred and 

 fixty-two, and rejefts two hundred and twelve; but the hog eats only 

 feventy-two plants, and rejfdls an hundred and feventy-one. The 

 indelicacy of this animal is, therefore, rather in our apprehenfions than 

 in its nature ; for, where it finds variety, it rejefls the word with as 

 diftinguifliing a tafte as any other quadruped whatfoever. In the 

 orchards of peach-trees in North-America, where the hog has plenty, it 

 will rejedl the fruit that has b.in a few hours on the ground, and continue 

 on the watch hours together for a frefh windfall. 



The hog is ftupid, inadtive, and drowfy ; would ileep'half its time; but 

 is frequently awaked by the calls of appetite, which having fatisfied, goes 

 to reft again. Its whole life is fleep and gluttony, in enjoyment of which 

 it foon grows unfit even for exiftence; its flefh becomes a greater load 

 than its legs are able to fupport, and it continues to feed lying down, or 

 kneeling^ an helplefs inftance of indulged fenfuality. Is keen of fmell ; 

 its fat difpofed different from other animals in a regular coat over the 

 ■whole body. When the wind blows with vehemence, is greatly agi- 

 tated, runs violently to its fly, fcreaming horribly, which feems to indi- 

 cate that it is naturally fond of a warm climate. It appears alfo to fore- 

 fee bad weather, bringing ftraw in its mouth, preparing a bed, and 

 hiding itfelf from the impending ftorm. When it hears anyof its kind 

 in diftrefs, gathers round it, to lend fruitlefs afiiflance, and to fympa- 

 thize with its fufferings. They have been known to gather round a dog 

 that had teazed them, and kill him on the fpot. Neverthelefs, is fo 

 brutal, as to eat its own offspring, and fometimes infants. 



Moft difeafes of this animal arife from intemperance ; meaQes, im- 

 pofthumes, and fcrophula. It is thought by fome that ihey wallow in 

 the mire to deftroy a fort of loufe that infefts them ; rather, perhaps, to 

 cool their furfcited body. They generally live eighteen or twenty years; 

 and the females produce till fifteen. As they produce from ten to twen- 

 ty at a litter, twice a year, they would (hortly become exceedingly nume- 

 rous, if not diminifhed. In the wild ftate, the fow brings forth but 

 once a year. 



The wild boar was formerly native of our country, as appears from the 

 laws of Hoel Dda, the famous Welch Icgiflator, who permitted his 

 grand huntfman to chace that animal from the middle of November to 



the 



