THE SUIDJE, OR PIGS. 139 



muscles of the neck attached to the back of its 

 head, and the more is the plastic part, which is 

 specially soft in the young animal, affected by 

 the mechanical influence and becomes elongated. 

 Further, the shape and length of the snout is the 

 result of the pressure experienced while the pig 

 is obtaining its food, but is especially connected 

 with the larger number and full series of teeth. 



31 33 



The dental formula ] is: t - c pm m f The 



o 1 33 



lower incisors stand out almost horizontally, as 

 in the case of some of the plant-eaters, and are 

 adapted for cropping grasses in which the tongue 

 takes no part. The canines of the male animal de- 

 velop into fearful weapons, especially in the case of 

 the wild boar. The premolars are of an indefinite 

 character and of subordinate importance, both as 

 regards taking food and for chewing it. The 

 molars, on the other hand, both in form and 

 action, occupy a middle position between the cheek 

 teeth of the Carnivora and those of the decided 

 grass-eaters; yet in structure, in spite of their 

 affinity to the latter, they show a closer resem- 



1 The milk-teeth of the Pig consist of four cheek-teeth. The 

 first one is not replaced, but remains in its position for some 

 length of time, till after the three permanent premolars have 

 appeared. 



