404 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARR-IERY. 



THE SOW. 



The common or domestic hog is, generally speaking, 

 a very harmless animal. He lives for the chief part 

 on vegetables, yet can devour the most putrescent 

 carcases. He is, however, generally supposed much 

 more indelicate than he is really. He selects, at least 

 the plants of his choice, with equal sagacity and nice- 

 ness, and is never poisoned like some other animals 

 by mistaking noxious for wholesome food. No animal 

 has a greater sympathy for those of his own kind. 

 The moment one of them gives a signal, all within 

 hearing rush to his assistance. They have been known 

 to gather round a dog that teased them and kill him 

 on the spot ; and if a male and female be inclosed in a 

 stye when young, and be afterwards separated, the 

 female will decline from the instant her companion is 

 removed, and will probably die of a broken heart. 



In the island of Minorca, hogs are converted into 

 beasts of draught ; a cow, a sow, and two young horses, 

 have been there seen yoked together, and of the four 

 the sow drew the best. 



A gamekeeper of Sir H. Mildmay actually broke a 

 black sow to find game, and to back and stand. Slut, 

 which was the name he gave her, was rendered as 

 staunch as any pointer. After Sir Henry's death this 

 pig pointer was sold by auction for a very considerable 

 sum of money. 



The boa: is one of those animals that are doomed to 

 clear the earth of filth and refuse, and that convert the 

 most nauseous offals into the richest nutriment. The 

 thickness of his hide and fat renders the hog almost 

 insensible of ill treatment, and instances have occurred 

 of mice eating their way into the fat on the back ot 



