THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 405 



one of these animals without incommoding the crea- 

 ture. Although naturally inoffensive, he possesses 

 powers which, when called into action, render him a 

 very formidable enemy. He is, however, stupid, in- 

 active, and drowsy ; and nothing but the calls of appe- 

 tite interrupt his repose, to which he always returns as 

 soon as these are satisfied. 



The female goes four months with young, and has 

 numerous litters, from eight to fifteen at a time, and 

 sometimes even twenty.' These animals live to the 

 age of twenty-five or thirty years. 



Swine, as well as other animals, are subject to va- 

 rious diseases, although not so frequently ; nor are their 

 maladies attended with such fatal consequences. Swine 

 are frequently troubled with lice or ticks, hence their 

 desire to wallow and roll in miry places and bogs ; as 

 soon as the dirt is dry it will easily rub off, and thus 

 they are freed of the vermin ; at the same time lying 

 down in such places cools their bodies, for no animals 

 have such a hot constitution as swine. Dirt, however, 

 is by no means good or wholesome for them, nor do 

 they fatten so freely when pent up closely in a stye, 

 and allowed to wallow constantly in their own dung : 

 hence the chief cause of disease. 



One instance of the heat of their bodies is, that they 

 have been known to fatten much quicker and better in 

 cool, moist, and shady woods, and where much food 

 was not visible than in hot inclosures ; although a 

 quantity of food has been given them with the trouble 

 of seeking it. Consequently no food of a heating na- 

 ture should be given them in any abundance, and at 

 all times they should have free access to water. 



The general symptoms of illness with swine, is a 

 dull, heavy look, their ears hang Ustlessly down, and 

 all appetite leaves them, nor does it return till they 



