THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 403 



turn out of his way even for man himself. He does 

 not seek danger, and he does not seem to avoid it. 



The chase of the animals is dangerous ; but a com- 

 mon amusement with the great in those countries 

 where it is to be found. The dogs used for this sport 

 are of the slow heavy kind ; as those trained for hunt- 

 ing the stag or roebuck would too soon come up with 

 their prey, and instead of a chase, would only furnish 

 an engagement. 



When the boar is roused, he goes slowly forward, 

 not much afraid, and at no great distance from his 

 pursuers. He frequently turns round, stops till the 

 hounds come up, and attempts to attack them; but as 

 these are perfectly aware of their danger, they keep 

 off, and bay him at a distance. After gazing at each 

 other with equal animosity, the boar again goes for- 

 ward, till at length he becomes perfectly fatigued, and 

 refuses to proceed any further. The dogs then at- 

 tempt to close in upon from behind, and though many 

 of the younger ones lose their lives in consequence 

 of their temerity, the others keep him at bay till the 

 huntsmen come up and dispatch him with their 

 spears. 



These animals are found in almost all the temperate 

 parts of Europe and Asia, as well as in some of the 

 upper parts of Africa. 



In former times, the wild boar was a native of 

 Britain, as appears from the laws of Nerval Ddar, the 

 famous Welsh legislator, who permitted his grand 

 huntsman to chase that animal from the middle of No- 

 vember to the beginning of December. 



William the Conqueror also punished such as were 

 convicted of killing the wild boar in his forests with 

 the loss of their eyes. 



